The Commonwealth Secretariat Staff Team on an assessment mission to the Maldives paid a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid on Thursday.
At the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Shahid expressed the commitment of the current administration to pursue the accession process in full cooperation with the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The Minister mentioned that Maldives had benefitted immensely in the past from being a member of the 53-member state organisation and was able to contribute as a member of the Commonwealth in important global discussions on human rights, sustainable development, climate change, and democratic consolidation.
The Commonwealth Team during their visit, prior the meeting with Minister Shahid, called on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, as well as Speaker of Parliament Qasim Ibrahim and Chief Justice Ahmed Abdulla Didi.
Additionally, the team also met with a host of senior government officials, independent institutions, political parties and other key stakeholders in the country.
The Commonwealth Team is in the Maldives as part of an assessment required by the Commonwealth Secretariat to prepare the Maldives for its membership in the Commonwealth.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih officially requested to rejoin the Commonwealth in December 2018.
Rejoining the Commonwealth is part of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's goals set for achievement within the first 100 days of his administration.
Maldives initially joined the Commonwealth in July 9, 1982, leaving on October 13, 2016, during the tenure of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, after 34 years as a member of the intergovernmental organization.
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