- President Muizzu reaffirmed the Maldives' commitment to UN reforms giving smaller nations and SIDS a more equitable role, marking 61 years of membership.
- Key priorities include climate resilience, sustainable debt, affordable financing and increased climate adaptation funding, supporting the goal of becoming fully developed by 2040.
- The Maldives is expanding its UN role, seeking election to the Human Rights Council and Security Council while joining bodies like ECOSOC and the Commission on the Status of Women.
The Maldives will continue pressing for reforms that give smaller nations a more meaningful role within the United Nations, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said, as the country marks 61 years since joining the organisation.
In a message commemorating the anniversary, the President reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to equitable representation within the UN and greater participation by Small Island Developing States as equal partners in international decision-making.
The Maldives joined the United Nations on 21 September 1965, shortly after gaining independence. Since then, the organisation has supported several areas of the country’s development, including its graduation from Least Developed Country status.
President Muizzu said cooperation with the UN would remain important as the Maldives works towards its national ambition of becoming a fully developed nation by 2040.
He identified climate resilience, sustainable approaches to debt, improved access to affordable financing and increased funding for climate adaptation among the Maldives’ key international priorities. The country will also seek further opportunities for SIDS to develop their institutional and technical capacities.
The President highlighted the Maldives’ expanding participation within the UN system, including its service as Vice-President of the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. The country is also expected to join the Commission on the Status of Women and the Economic and Social Council.
The Maldives is additionally pursuing election to the Human Rights Council and the Security Council as part of its effort to assume greater responsibility within the international system.
President Muizzu reaffirmed the country’s commitment to international law and the UN Charter, identifying diplomacy, dialogue and inclusive multilateral governance as essential to addressing increasingly complex global challenges.
He said the Maldives had evolved from a newly independent country seeking recognition and international partnership into a state prepared to contribute more actively to shaping the UN and advancing a more resilient and inclusive global economy.
