It is an honour for me to be here today and I thank you, Mr President, for convening this meeting. I join previous speakers in congratulating Ambassador Guillermo E Rishchynski, Permanent Representative of Canada, for successfully leading the consultations on the third review of the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy. The Maldives also aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Mr President, The Maldives does not believe that there can be a localized incident of terrorism. We do not believe that any terrorist act can be considered solely as a national issue. In all its forms and manifestations, in all the locations around the world where we see this scourge rear its ugly head, it has always been an international issue of concern. It is condemned globally and it is through a globally coordinated strategy that we address it. It is in this sprit, that the my Delegation commends the work done to bring consensus on the draft resolution, and it is in this spirit that we support the Secretary General’s report, the Counter Terrorism Implementation Task Force and the relevant UN agencies, funds and programmes. Mr President, The Republic of Maldives is firmly committed to combating all acts of terrorism, and is pleased that the draft resolution takes into account the necessity for a balanced, comprehensive, and systematic approach to addressing global terrorism. Maldives is party to 12 international treaties on counter terrorism as well as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation’s Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism and its Additional Protocol. Party to these international obligations, the Maldives reaffirms its full commitment to fighting for justice, basic human rights and the rule of law. Maldives commends the Royal Government of Saudi Arabia for its initiative in establishing the United Nations Centre for Counter Terrorism last year and looks forward to greater engagement from the Centre. It should be noted that fighting terrorism requires a comprehensive approach; where nations focus on awareness and prevention rather than just prosecution. The Global Counter Terrorism Strategy, being the voice of the community of nations, takes this basic premise into account. In regards to the Secretary General’s recommendations, Maldives supports the appointment of a single UN Counter-Terrorism Coordinator as well as the development of national and regional strategy implementation plans. The Maldives would like to see that these recommendations are operationalized in a manner that encourages greater regional cooperation. Mr President, As an island state in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Maldives is confronted with the scourge of maritime piracy. In the recent past there has been an upsurge of incidents faced by the country. In this regard, it is pleasing to note that the 17th SAARC Summit held in the Maldives in November of 2011 decided to initiate work towards combating maritime piracy in the South Asian region. Mr President, Throughout history the Maldives has been, and remains, constantly vigilant of ideologies that breed extremism which in turn cultivates hate and thereby fosters violence. However legitimate a grievance may be, the use of violence to support that political, religious or other ideology can be defined as nothing less than terrorism. My Government has placed the prevention of violence at the forefront of its agenda. Yet, to succeed in this efforts, the Government seeks to establish partnerships for sharing intelligence. Partnerships that can coordinate efforts to eradicate terrorism. Mr President, In 2008, the country adopted a liberal Constitution where powers were separated and independent institutions of democratic governance created. In order for the current and future generations of Maldivians to better understand the inherent rights and responsibilities enshrined in the new Constitution, the government of the Maldives recently initiated a program incorporating civic education into the country's school curriculum. In higher secondary education, the government has also supported an interdisciplinary study of faith aimed at encouraging unity, progress and hope in order to dispel any sign of hatred and division. It is through addressing that hatred that we change the extremist narrative, through education that we lessen recruitment, and through democratic norms that we produce justice. As part of a program in strengthening the independent institutions and branches of democratic governance in the Maldives, the government is facilitating a program on justice sector reform. This together with updated bills on violence and the introduction of a penal code will give structure to the judicial system and ensure that the most absolute measure of criminal justice is carried out, while protecting the fundamental human rights of all Maldivians and the maintenance of rule of law. Mr President, Economic disparity and exclusion must also be taken into account as root causes of terrorism. As a nation with an economy that is both small and vulnerable to internal and external shocks, Maldives is ever cognisant of the potential for radicalization amongst the destitute. Maldives is, therefore, determined to maintain its focus on development as a vehicle to combat extremism. Mr President, Terrorism in all forms and manifestations is a threat to human dignity. And we, as the community of nations, must be resolute in our comprehensive response to it. The Maldives believes that the United Nations remains the only organization that could universally deal with this global challenge, and therefore Maldives pledges its unequivocal support for the fulfilment of each pillar of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Thank you.
