Local media Mihaaru reported, on Friday, that Saudi Arabia will support Maldives' Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid's candidature for President of the United Nation's General Assembly (UNGA) in 2021.
As per media reports, the Saudi Foreign Ministry's State Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir addressed a letter to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, affirming that Saudi will back Maldives in the election.
The United Nation's 76th General Assembly is scheduled for September 14, 2021, for which a new president will be elected three months in advance. Therefore, the elections are expected to take place in the middle of next year.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration included MVR 4.3 million in 2021's State Budget for the campaign to secure the post of UNGA President.
On November 9, Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla announced that India will also support Shahid's candidature for UNGA President.
The Indian Foreign Secretary made this declaration during a courtesy call paid to Minister Shahid during an official visit to the island nation on the invitation of Maldives’ Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed.
The bid for the UN General Assembly presidency falls under the foreign policy of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, which aims to strengthen the island nation's connections and influence on the international arena.
Maldives also announced its candidature for membership of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the term 2023-2025, last February. The UNHRC elections will be held in the year 2022.
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