Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla addressed the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva this week, calling for fair international cooperation and a rule-based global system to uphold peace and prosperity.
Speaking under the conference theme, “A World in Turmoil: Parliamentary Cooperation and Multilateralism for Peace, Justice and Prosperity for All”, the Speaker outlined the Maldives’ position on a range of global concerns, including ongoing conflicts, climate change and inequality.
He remarked that events such as the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, along with the escalating impacts of climate change, tend to disproportionately affect smaller and more vulnerable nations. In this context, he called for stronger collaboration among countries, noting that global peace and justice depend on equitable cooperation and adherence to international rules.
The Speaker also referenced the Maldives’ Climate Emergency Act and its ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2030. He said that meeting these goals requires sustained international support, especially for small island states on the frontlines of environmental change.
On the role of parliamentary diplomacy, Speaker Abdul Raheem noted that the Maldives Parliament currently maintains over 25 Parliamentary Friendship Groups and continues to engage with global bodies such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
During his remarks, he also spoke on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, urging legislative bodies across the world to take a unified stance and act.
The Speaker concluded by calling for closer cooperation between parliaments and the United Nations to ensure that public voices are reflected in global decision-making processes.
