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Minister Shahid takes part in Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting

Shahudha Mohamed
15 October 2020, MVT 09:10
Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid participating in the virtual Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting. PHOTO: FOREIGN MINISTRY
Shahudha Mohamed
15 October 2020, MVT 09:10

Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, on Wednesday, participated in the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting.

During the virtual meeting, chaired by the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom Dominic Raab, Minister Shahid called for reorienting the Commonwealth Vulnerability Index to better capture the effect that COVID-19 and climate change have on small states.

Minister Shahid began his statement thanking member states and the Secretary-General for their valuable support in ensuring the Maldives re-joined the Commonwealth family.

Noting that the Commonwealth is an organization where the voices of small states are always heard and always considered, the minister stated that the time to revisit the Commonwealth Vulnerability Index has never been more pertinent and expressed optimism that a new Vulnerability Index, that considers the particular challenges of small states in light of COVID-19 and climate change, will be ready soon.

Minister Shahid also said that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the "middle-income trap" faced by many small states.

"The effect of COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on all of us, and more so on the smaller and vulnerable members. The Maldives, like many of the small states, relies heavily on tourism".

"However, our lives, the economy, have come to a standstill, almost overnight. With no tourists, revenue declined, and debt increased. The economy is set to contract for the first time in a decade".

"Without access to concessional finance, we will continue to struggle combatting the double threat of COVID-19 and climate change", he said

The minister expressed Maldives’ support for the efforts by the Commonwealth in assisting member states in overcoming the negative effects of the pandemic, including the establishment of the Disaster Risk Finance Portal and the Commonwealth’s call for sovereign debt relief and access to international finance markets.

Shahid further reiterated support for the Commonwealth’s ambition for a fair, inclusive and sustainable approach towards ocean protection and economic development.

Minister Shahid stated that the Maldives looks forward to phasing out single-use plastic by 2023 and other measures to protect the ocean by working with Commonwealth Blue Charter Action Groups such as the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance.

Describing unity among Commonwealth nations as a strength to overcome unforeseen challenges, he expressed solidarity with Mauritius over the recent oil spill disaster and commended their response.

Shahid also highlighted that the disaster was a stark reminder of vulnerabilities of many Commonwealth member states. In closing, Minister Shahid echoed the sentiments of many Maldivians by stating that the Maldives looks forward to capacity building and the exchange of experiences for the benefit of all Commonwealth citizens.

"We face many challenges. But this is an organisation that has met the challenges together as a family. We are unshakeable in our quest to work towards gender equality and the empowerment of women".

"Today, in our organisation where the Secretary-General is a woman, I am proud to share that Maldives has achieved gender parity among Heads of diplomatic missions", he said.

This was the first Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meeting Minister Shahid participated in since the Maldives formally rejoined the organisation on February 1, 2020, delivering a key pledge of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

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