Foreign Minister Dr Mohamed Asim concludes successful visit to Geneva

28 March 2017, Geneva 

HE Dr Mohamed Asim, Minister of Foreign Affairs, concluded a successful two-day visit to Geneva, Switzerland, where he delivered a statement at the High-Level segment of the 34th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on 27 February 2017.

The Minister expressed our continued support for the work of the LDC and SIDS at the reception co-hosted by the Maldives and Australia to welcome the delegates attending the 34th Session of the Council funded by the Voluntary Trust Fund to support the LDC and SIDS attending the Council.

Minister Asim reiterated our continued cooperation with Ministers from Denmark, United Kingdom, and Australia at the bilateral meetings held on the side-lines of the 34th Session of the Human Rights Council.

In confirming Government’s deep engagement with the United Nations, Minister Asim met with HE Zeid al-Ra’ad Hussain, UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, and reaffirmed the full cooperation of the Government for constructive engagement with the Office of the High Commissioner and international partners in democracy consolidation in the country.

Foreign Minister Dr. Mohamed Asim led the delegation of the Maldives to the High-Level Segment of the 34th Session of UN Human Rights Council, accompanied by Ms Shahiya Ali Manik, Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Ambassador of Mongolia calls on Foreign Minister

28 March 2017, Male;

The newly appointed Ambassador of Mongolia to Maldives, His Excellency Gonching Ganbold, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Asim today.

At the meeting held this morning, Minister Asim congratulated Ambassador Ganbold on presenting his credentials to the President and expressed confidence that Ambassador would reinforce further the bilateral ties and cooperation between Maldives and Mongolia. Discussing further on the bilateral relation, Minister Asim and Ambassador Ganbold exchanged ideas in enhancing cooperation between both the countries and reflected on ways for strengthening the existing ties.

The Ambassador assured his commitment to work with the Government of Maldives in strengthening the relation and assured to extend cooperation for the development of Maldives.

Foreign Minister Asim was accompanied by Mr. Ibrahim Shaheeb, Additional Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Ahmed Suzil, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Maldives proud to play a significant role at the 34th Session of the Human Rights Council

24 March 2017, Geneva, Switzerland

The United Nations Human Rights Council concluded its 34th Session today in Geneva. The delegation of the Republic of Maldives delivered 24 formal statements and actively participated in the negotiation of 41 resolutions and 1 decision, adopted during the concluding session of the council.

The session also confirmed the appointment of 7 mandate holders and adopted the report of the session.

The Human Rights Council began with the High-Level Segment of the Human Rights Council (HRC), which was held from 27 February to 2 March 2017. His Excellency Dr Mohamed Asim, Minister of Foreign Affairs, was accompanied by Ms Shahiya Ali Manik, Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Minister Asim addressed the Council on 27 February 2017.

 

The Maldives delivered statements on thematic discussions covered in the Programme of Work of the Council, including those on the Annual Report of the High Commissioner and on Syrian Arab Republic, Myanmar, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Korea, Palestine and other occupied territories and other human rights situations that require the council attention. The Maldives also issued statements on the promotion and protection of human rights in relation to numerous issues, including adequate housing, human rights defenders, torture, violence against children, technical assistance and capacity building and in relation to the Universal Periodic Review and the adoption of reports of States reviewed.

 

During this Session, the Maldives along with a core group of states, including Barbados, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Mauritius, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Senegal, Singapore, Switzerland, and Turkey, led the resolution entitled “Promoting the Voluntary Technical Assistance Trust Fund to Support the Participation of Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States in the work of the Council.” to support the participation of Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States in the work of the Council. This Resolution received the support of, and was co-sponsored by over 113 countries.

 

The Maldives was also a member of the core group with Costa Rica, Morocco, Slovenia and Switzerland, on the Resolution on Human Rights and Environment and actively engaged in drafting the resolution. This resolution received cross regional support with over 60 other co-sponsors.

The Maldives was featured in three panel discussions; “The Interdependence of Human Rights and Biodiversity” represented on the panel by H.E. Dr Hala Hameed, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations at Geneva, Panel; on “Universal Participation to the UN Human Rights Council: Impact and ways of Reinforcement of the Actions undertaken with the Trust Fund for the Participation of Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States” represented on the panel by Mr Jeffrey Salim Waheed, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations at Geneva and on the Panel on “Human Rights of Thalassemia Patients” represented on the panel by Dr Marium Jabyn, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Delegate to the 34th HRC Session.

 

In line with its key priorities at the UN Human Rights Council, the Maldives co-sponsored a number of resolutions, including those on human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic and in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as well as the resolutions on Occupied Palestinian Territories. The Maldives also co-sponsored resolutions on adequate housing, human rights, democracy and the Rule of Law.

The Maldives also participated in several other side events including formal and informal engagements on the side-lines of the Human Rights Council.

 

The Human Rights Council consists of 47 State Members of the United Nations, and are elected for terms of three years. The Maldives is currently on a one year mandatory break from the Council, after two consecutive three year terms as a member from 2011-2013 and 2014-2016. However, given its success at the Council, and the country’s dedication to the promotion and protection of Human Rights, the Maldives has announced its candidacy for membership on the UN Human Rights Council for the term 2018-2020.

The Maldives was represented at the 34th Session by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Maldives, H.E Dr Hala Hameed, Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Office and other International Organisations at Geneva, along with Dr Marium Jabyn, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Jeffrey Salim Waheed, Deputy Permanent Representative and Ms Aishath Shahula, First Secretary of the Maldives Mission in Geneva.

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“Experience Maldives” successfully held in Malaysia

12 March 2017, Kuala Lumpur

A cultural exchange program promoting trade and travel named “Experience Maldives” has been successfully held in Malaysia by the Embassy of Maldives in collaboration with the Maldivian company Typewriter Pvt. Ltd. The week long programme which started on 6th March 2017 day tours to universities and ended last night with a main event in Malaysian Tourism Centre, MATIC.

Universities that supported the day tours were Nottingham University, Sunway University, Asia Pacific University and Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. The day tours at universities included interactive Maldivian music performances by Mandheera Boduberu and FasyLive. A lucky winner was selected at each Partner University after a raffle draw where the winner got a free 4 night inclusive holiday package in Maldives.

The main event held last night consists of an exhibition and an invitee only Gala Night. The exhibition that began at 19:30 Malaysian time included showcasing of Maldivian products, art and cuisine. The Gala Night which began at 20:45 Malaysian time included a cultural dance performance by Asia Pacific University students, Traditional lifestyle of Maldives by Maldivian artist Ahmed Nimad (Andhu), well known Maldivian contemporary musician Ahmed Faseeh (Fasylive) and Mandheera Boduberu and a combined performance of Malaysian Cultural Orchestra, Mandheera Boduberu and Fasylive. In addition to that Holiday packages were awarded to the four University lucky winners by Maldives Ambassador His Excellency Mohamed Fahmy Hassan. Speaking at last night’s Gala Night the Ambassador looked into the history of Maldives and some of the cultural similarities that both the Maldives and Malaysia have. The Ambassador thanked everyone involved in making “Experience Maldives” a successful event.

Speaking on behalf of the event organizer, Typewriter Pvt. Ltd. Maldives their Managing Director Mr. Shaahy Abdulla said “This is a great platform to enhance ties with Malaysia and to promote Maldivian culture.” The main sponsor of the event was Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company and co-sponsored by Maldives Tourism Development Corporation while Ensis Fisheries helped as an associate sponsor.

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Ambassador of Maldives to Germany presents Credentials to the German President Joachim Gauck

On March 9, 2017 the Ambassador-Designate of the Republic of Maldives to the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Jameela Ali Khalid presented her Letter of Credentials to the German President Joachim Gauck, in an official ceremony with military honors at Schloss Bellevue.

After the ceremony, President congratulated Ambassador Jameela and had conversations stating that he  was very happy that the Maldives decided to open an embassy in Germany and this he said will surely strengthen diplomatic relations and co-operation between the two countries.  Ambassador Jameela thanked the President for the warm welcome and conveyed greetings from His Excellency President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and the people of the Maldives. President Gauck also remarked that it was a very historic day as  Ambassador Jameela would be his last accredited Ambassador. Ambassador Jameela said that that she is very proud to represent the Maldives in Germany and look forward to serve as the first Maldivian resident Ambassador in Germany.

Ambassador Jameela also highlighted that tourism is the largest economic industry in the Maldives and Germany has always been a key tourism market, with tourist arrivals amongst the highest from Europe and expressed hope that the number of tourists visiting the Maldives will increase in the coming years and new markets will  be explored. President Gauck inquired about the fishery  industry and   Ambassador Jameela  responded  that it is another of the areas that we need to strengthen.  Ambassador Jameela also added that there will be many other areas that she will explore , especially in the areas of youth and sports, health , education and capacity building. She also expressed her profound concern on the need to establish a VFS Office in Male’ to process Schengen Visas for Maldivians travelling to Europe.

The presentation of credentials ceremony was attended by Minister Counsellor, Ms. Shiruzimath Sameer  and  Second Secretary Hussain Jahhaz  of the Maldivian Embassy in Germany.

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