Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid participated in a panel discussion to commemorate the International Day of Women in Diplomacy in New York.
During the panel Minister Shahid, highlighted why the Maldives decided to put forth a resolution to create a day for women in diplomacy. Minister Shahid reflected on his experiences in achieving gender parity within his Ministry and called on other leaders to also achieve gender parity within their place of work. Minister Shahid also spoke about the commitment of the Government of Maldives to achieving gender parity in all sectors.
The panel discussion was moderated by Nathalie Gasaro, a diplomat from the Republic of Rwanda and Youth Fellow in the Office of the President of the General Assembly. Minister Shahid was joined by the Permanent Representative of the United States of America, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and the Executive Director of UN Women, Sima Bahous.
The International Day of Women in Diplomacy resolution was put forth by the delegation of Maldives and adopted during the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution was co-sponsored by 191 delegations along with 85 member states as main sponsors.
During the Commemorative event statement was given by the Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations, Thilmeeza Hussein, President of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi. An interactive discussion on “Current Challenges and Policy Interventions to achieve women diplomats’ full participation in decision-making spaces” was held with participation from the Permanent Representative of Cambodia to the United Nations, Sophea Eat, Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations Sarah Safyn Fyneah and the President and CEO of Present and Future Institute, Keisha McGuire.
Closing statements were provided by the Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia to the United Nations Menissa Rambally and the President-elect of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Ambassador Dennis Francis.
