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President Solih advocates for small island states at Paris Peace Forum

Mariyam Malsa
13 November 2020, MVT 10:22
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih delivering a national address in 2020. PHOTO: PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Mariyam Malsa
13 November 2020, MVT 10:22

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Thursday, called for the international community to support small island states during the 2020 Paris Peace Forum.

The forum was organised as a virtual event from November 11 to 12 in order to provide a platform for the global community to outline priorities for a post-COVID world.

Speaking during a video broadcast as part of the forum, President Solih stated that the ongoing pandemic had highlighted the unique vulnerabilities of small island states and called for the establishment of an international order that would be just and beneficial to all nations.

The president particularly noted that the Maldives’ heavily tourism-dependent economy was severely impacted by the travel restrictions and border closures introduced worldwide in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He went on to state that full economic recovery would require time despite Maldives reopening borders and incrementally lift restrictions based on the success of virus control efforts.

Until complete recovery could be realised, President Solih noted that Maldives would require international support in terms of financial assistance, debt relief and technical assistance to diversify the country’s economy.

"In today’s world, the effects of crises cannot be confined to borders; and they cannot be resolved without collective action", stated the president.

Noting that although the pandemic's impacts were likely to subside within a year or two, President Solih asserted that the dangers presented by climate change would remain and called for collaboration on the issue.

Overall, President Solih urged for forum participants to cooperate and collaborate to "leave future generations a world that is sustainable and in balance with nature" as it is "the only way in which we can truly build for the future".

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