The Maldives has stressed the importance of collaborative approaches in solving common challenges. Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations Thilmeeza Hussain made the remark while delivering her statement at the 2023 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Partnership Forum on accelerating the recovery from COVID-19 and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels.
In her statement, Permanent Representative Thilmeeza emphasised that the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the economy of the Maldives and demonstrated the impacts of a steep and sudden contraction on its critical tourism industry. She stated that Maldives recognised that economic recovery required even and fair vaccination; increased health spending and strong measures in place to contain the outbreak while supporting vulnerable households and businesses most affected by the crises.
Furthermore, Permanent Representative Thilmeeza stressed that the success of actions strongly depended on the partnerships the Maldives had forged between all levels of government from national to local; with the private sector and civil society and media; and with the strong support of international partners including the United Nations (UN). In addition, she said that the pandemic compounded aspects of gender equality as women bore the brunt of the economic fallout of the pandemic, and reiterated the call of the Maldives that sustainable development cannot be achieved without the full, equal, effective, and meaningful participation of women in all facets of life.
The Partnership Forum is an annual meeting held under the auspices of ECOSOC, bringing together governments, the private and non-profit sectors, UN entities, and civil society to collaborate and foster discussion on how partnerships can advance international development.