Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated the country’s belief on the importance of multilateralism to deliver the solutions to the global challenges of our time.
Foreign Minister Dr Mohamed Asim made this appeal in a statement given on the occasion of the seventy-second anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter.
In his statement, the minister noted that the UN Charter was born out of the ashes of war, providing hope of a brighter future for millions.
Minister Asim said that Maldives was the first ‘micro-state’ to join the UN, prompting a debate about the ability of ‘very small States’ such as the Maldives to deliver the responsibilities enshrined in the Charter. He said that yet, the ‘one-state, one-vote’ principle set out in Article 18 of the Charter refuted such arguments and guaranteed for the Maldives, a seat at the table of community of nations.
The Minister added that the Maldives, merely a month after its independence, placed its faith in the community of independent nations—the UN—to deliver on the promise of equal opportunity to succeed, to develop freely, and independent of influence. He further stated that Maldives continue to rely on the principles that form the bedrock of the United Nations, as included in its Charter, to ensure that the country’s voice is heard and our concerns addressed, in every decision making chamber, in every resolution, and in every process.
Concluding his statement, Minister Asim said that the United Nations Charter continues to remain the beacon of hope, especially for the small and micro-states of the world.
Minister Asim said the people of small and micro-states cherish the Charter, for it guaranteed equal right to every member of the UN to serve and to contribute in maintaining peace and security in the world. He went on to add that the Maldives is ready to serve, and to propose shared solutions for a more peaceful and a just society shared destiny.