Minister Asim calls on the Government of Myanmar to respect its human rights obligations under International Law

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Asim participated in the Annual OIC Foreign Minister’s meeting held on the margins of the Seventy Second Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

While speaking at the meeting, Minister Asim reflected on some of the pressing challenges faced by the Muslim world and called for urgent action, particularly on the issue of Rohingya Muslims. He called on the Government of Myanmar to respect its human rights obligations under international law, international humanitarian law and human rights covenants. He further called on the Muslim Ummah to take appropriate steps to stop the genocide and ethnic cleansing in Rakhine State. Minister noted that the Maldives has launched nationwide activities to raise funds to help the Rohingya Muslims and added that the Government has also ceased all trade ties with Myanmar, until it takes measures to prevent the atrocities being committed against Rohingya Muslims.

While speaking on the Palestinian issue, Minister called on the Occupying Power, Israel, to respect its international obligations in particular to the United Nations Security Council resolution 2334 and reiterated its call for a two-state solution recognizing the sovereign and independent State of Palestine, based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In his speech, Minister Asim also spoke about the challenges of Islamophobia and the need for the organisation to stand united in sending across the message of Islam as a religion of peace.

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Maldives, as the Chair of AOSIS convenes interactive dialogue for SIDS with the UN Secretary General

9 February 2017, New York

 The Maldives, as the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) convened an interactive dialogue with His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations, providing an opportunity for Member States to discuss the priorities and issues of importance for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Sareer, the Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations.

When addressing the meeting, the Secretary General acknowledged the unique challenges that SIDS face across all aspects of the UN mandates, and also acknowledged the leadership role that SIDS were undertaking to address these challenges.

During the interactive dialogue, the Chair and a number of Members of AOSIS highlighted specific concerns for SIDS. These included, the wish of the SIDS to see the specific vulnerabilities and special circumstances faced by them to be mainstreamed throughout the UN system as well as the Secretary General to ensure more representation for SIDS in the UN Secretariat in his initiatives to bring broader reforms to make the functioning of the Secretariat more effective and efficient.  Many questions were posed to the Secretary General on specific areas of climate change, sustainable development, oceans, SIDS graduation from Least Developed Country status, and access to finance for SIDS in its overall engagement.  In his response, the Secretary General touched upon these concerns and assured the Members of his willingness to give high priority to these concerns and work with SIDS towards tackling them.

In addition to the Permanent Representatives of the Member States of AOSIS to the United Nations in New York, the Representatives of the UN Secretariat and the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS) attended the meeting.

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Minister of Environment and Energy H.E Thoriq Ibrahim convened a High Level Dialogue on the Initiative for Renewable Island Energy (IRIE)

Minister of Environment and Energy H.E Thoriq Ibrahim convened a High Level Dialogue on the Initiative for Renewable Island Energy (IRIE) at the margins of the 72 UNGA today.

IRIE was one of the initiatives launched in Marrakech in 2016, which aims to enhance political momentum in transforming SIDS climate plans to action.

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is one of the key partners of the Initiative. During the High Level Dialogue, Ministers exchanged their vision in enhancing the means of implementation in realization of the Paris Agreement.

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Minister of Gender and Family, Ms. Zenysha Shaheed Zaki reiterates Maldives commitment to ensuring that the rights of children are realized and that no child is left behind

Minister of Gender and Family, Ms. Zenysha Shaheed Zaki participated at a high level event entitled “A Promise to Children: Their Rights and Well-being in the SDGs” today.

Speaking as a panellist at the event, Minister Zenysha stated that the Government of Maldives, under the leadership of His Excellency President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom remains committed to playing an active role in promoting and protecting the rights of the child, including protecting them from violence and ensuring their health and wellbeing. She also highlighted Government’s comprehensive Universal Health Coverage scheme in her remarks.

In her speech, Minister noted that everyone has a shared responsibility to ensure that the welfare and security of children are accounted for, and that every child can grow up in a safe environment. She further underscored on the need to forge stronger partnerships with public and private stakeholders that can reinforce national, regional and global responses to address violence against children.

The event was organised by “World Vision”, “Child Fund”, “Save the Children”, “SOS Children’s Villages” and “PLAN International”.

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Foreign Minister meets his counterparts from Bahrain and Burundi

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Asim met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, H.E. Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa.

The Ministers discussed avenues to further bilateral ties between the two countries and ways of strengthening the existing friendly relations between the two countries.

 

 

The minister also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burundi, H.E Alain A. Nyamitwe.

Ministers discussed issues of interest and mutual importance to both counties.

The meetings were held on the sidelines of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

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