Speaker of the Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla has concluded his official visit to China. The Speaker departed to China to participate in the Inter-Regional Seminar of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Parliaments of Developing Countries 2024.
During his visit, Speaker Abdul Raheem participated in the ceremony held to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the National People's Congress’s (NPC) affiliation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the opening ceremony of the Interregional Seminar on the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Parliaments of Developing Countries. Prior to the ceremony, a special meeting was convened with the Speakers of Parliaments from the participating countries, the President of the IPU, and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC of China. During this meeting, Speaker Abdul Raheem emphasised the enduring and significant relationship between the Maldives and China. As such, the Speaker expressed the Maldives' support for the One-China Policy and commended China’s leadership in global affairs.
Additionally, Speaker Abdul Raheem also made a statement at the 2024 Interregional Seminar on the Achievement of the SDGs for Parliaments of Developing Countries held in Beijing, China. Speaking at seminar he emphasised the importance of considering each country's situation and available resources, when drafting developmental strategies in this globalised world. As such, he highlighted the critical connection between the Maldives' economic development strategies, its democratic values, and sustainability. Drawing from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's address at the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the speaker reiterated that sustainability is at the core of the Maldives' identity, and resilience is essential to its way of life.
On the sidelines of the seminar, which runs from August 18 to 23, Speaker Abdul Raheem held discussions with the President of the IPU and the Secretary General of the IPU. The Speaker was accompanied by Parliamentarians Ibrahim Shujau, Mohamed Ismail, Mohamed Shahid and the Secretary General of the People’s Majlis, Fathimath Niusha.