Maldivian Delegation Concludes New York Visit for UN General Assembly
- Vice President Latheef led the Maldives' delegation at the 81st UN General Assembly, delivering the national address and pushing for climate support, institutional reform, and greater representation for small island states.
- The delegation called for UN Security Council reform including a rotating SIDS seat, reaffirmed support for an independent Palestinian state, and demanded grant-based climate finance while defending statehood and maritime boundaries against sea-level rise.
- Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam and Education Minister Dr Ismail Shafeeu advanced priorities on development finance, pandemic preparedness, and education, alongside meetings with UN Secretary-General Guterres and Bangladeshi PM Tarique Rahman before concluding on 27 September.
The Maldives’ delegation has concluded its visit to New York for the high-level week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where it pressed for stronger climate support, reform of global institutions and greater representation for small island states.
Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef led the delegation and delivered the Maldives’ national address to the General Debate. He argued that every country must have the freedom and capacity to shape its own future, while linking the Maldives’ development priorities to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s ambition for the country to reach developed nation status by 2040.
The Vice President called for changes to the UN Security Council, including a rotating seat for Small Island Developing States. He also reaffirmed the Maldives’ support for an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Climate change was another focus of the visit. At a high-level meeting on sea-level rise, Vice President Latheef called for accessible, grant-based finance to help vulnerable countries adapt. He maintained that rising seas must not diminish their legally recognised maritime boundaries or bring their statehood into question.
Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam carried those priorities into other meetings during the week. Speaking at UN events on the right to development and pandemic preparedness, Minister Iruthisham called for improved access to finance and technology, more resilient supply chains and an inclusive digital future. She also advocated for reform of the UN and the international financial system.
The delegation’s engagements included discussions between Vice President Latheef and UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The Vice President also addressed a China-hosted meeting on the Global Development Initiative, while Minister Iruthisham met counterparts to discuss cooperation on shared priorities. Education Minister Dr Ismail Shafeeu led the Maldives’ participation in side events held by the Global Partnership for Education.
The Vice President and Minister Iruthisham concluded their official visits on 27 September. Their engagements placed the Maldives’ concerns over climate resilience, development finance and the influence of small states across several forums during the UN’s high-level week.
