United Nations' High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, commended Maldives as an "example of a good story of human rights", on Thursday.
Speaking at an informal meeting with both observer and member states at the UN Office in Geneva, Switzerland, the High Commissioner mentioned her oral update during the upcoming 42nd Session of the Human Rights Council would focus on the need for urgent climate action, adding that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) would break down if countries fail to address climate change.
Moreover, she noted the importance of concentrating on positive aspects of human rights promotion and for governments to deliver stories of success regarding the protection and promotion of human rights, strengthening democracy and establishing good governance at the council session.
Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the UN, Hala Hameed, thanked the High Commissioner for her focus on climate action and extended her appreciation as a Small Island Developing State in tackling climate change from a human rights perspective.
Furthermore, she assured the High Commissioner of Maldives' commitment to collaborate with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).