Environment Minister, Thoriq Ibrahim said that a Maldives' President not leading the Maldivian delegation at a SIDS conference for the past thirty years is a significant misfortune.
Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim, expressed concern over the absence of a Maldives' President at any International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the past 30 years, describing it as a significant loss for the country.
At the the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) held in Antigua and Barbuda set to conclude today, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had personally led the Maldivian delegation and delivered eight addresses, presided over several forums and arranged multiple meetings with foreign dignitaries. The President himself had steered all meetings and deliberations of the conference organized every every ten years to strengthen partnerships and arrange sustainable development solutions for SIDS.
Minister Thoriq, who is currently accompanying the President at Antigua and Barbuda for the conference as part of the Maldivian delegation said on Facebook that although SIDS remains the most important organization representing small developing nations, the most recent participation of a President at the conference was observed in 1994, thirty years ago.
The only president that attended the SIDS conference prior to President Muizzu was former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. During his administration, Maumoon had similarly led the Maldivian delegation at the SIDS conference.
"While thirty years has passed since, a single leader of the country failing to take part in the [SIDS] conference to represent Maldives is a loss to the country." said Thoriq.
Despite not being president at the time, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom led the Maldivian delegation at the most recent SIDS conference held in 2014.
Thoriq asserted that President Muizzu's attendance at the conference this year for the purpose of elevating the voice of Maldivians is a proud and joyous occasion for the entire country.
He added that the scene observed at this year's conference was of the President of Maldives working tirelessly to elevate the voices of the Maldivian people to an extent never seen before.
Thoriq further affirmed that the President's proposals were received with great respect by foreign leaders, experts, scholars, and businessmen who attended the conference.
Speaking with Mihaaru News, Minister Thoriq had added that a Maldivian President's personal attendance and direct involvement in such a meeting at such a wide scale had not been observed before.
"UNSG, Antigua and Barbuda's President and SG of Commonwealth had highly commended the President's efforts. They had highlighted the President's leadership," said Thoriq.
The President's Office stated that the President's trip to SIDS4 was very successful and assured that Maldives was able to achieve the goals it set for the conference.
They added that the government is very hopeful that everything Maldives lobbied for would be endorsed, including international funding, and areas of focus for financial agencies when providing financial support for SIDS.
Sign In
