President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has met the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid this afternoon at the President’s Office and congratulated him on his landslide victory in the election held on June 7, 2021 to appoint the President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Minister Shahid’s presidency will commence on September 14, 2021.
During the meeting, President Solih stated that Minister Shahid securing the post of President of UNGA was a proud accomplishment for the Maldives, and congratulated him on behalf of all Maldivian citizens. The President said that this development is a step forward in elevating the country’s stature on the global stage and that he was hopeful that it would bring more success to the country. The President also expressed confidence in Minister Shahid and his future undertakings as the President of UNGA and extended well wishes for his upcoming new role. Moreover, President Solih commended Minister Shahid on his work in astutely carrying out the Maldives' Foreign Policy.
In response, Minister Shahid acknowledged the President’s efforts to mobilise candidature support from UN member countries in the months leading up to the election, and thanked President Solih for nominating him as a candidate for the election. Minister Shahid recognised the President’s efforts to revive and improve the Maldives’ relations with the international community, and described this as one of the most significant wins in diplomacy since Maldives attained independence in 1965. The Minister added that this would bring abundant opportunities for the Maldives and assured the President that he would work towards achieving new development heights.
The Maldives joined the United Nations on September 21, 1965
