Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, on Monday, departed to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to attend the Second High-level UN Conference on South-South Cooperation (BAPA+40) scheduled to be held from March 20-22.
The Second High-level UN Conference will build on the previous achievements of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA) which was adopted in 1978.
During the three-day conference, world leaders will gather to discuss ways to promote technical cooperation between developing countries in the Global South, and how this co-operation can be instrumental in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Minister Shahid will deliver a national statement at BAPA+40 outlining Maldives' priority areas of development, as well as expressing the country’s interest in enhancing south-south cooperation by working with regional and international partners.
Additionally, the foreign minister will hold discussions with representatives of other countries in attendance, aiming to consolidate bilateral relations, and enhancing the diplomatic outreach of Maldives.
The visit marks the first instance a Maldivian foreign minister has made an official trip to Argentina, which is located in the Latin American region that has a high potential for economic growth and commerce. Currently, Maldives has limited diplomatic contact with Latin American countries.
Following the change of government in November 2018, Maldives launched an ambitious agenda to consolidate democracy, promote human rights and enhance diplomacy on environmental conservation and climate change.
Considered a key driving force of global economic growth, south-south cooperation can potentially provide Maldives with opportunities to ensure the success of ongoing efforts to solve socio-economic issues.
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