Minister of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development His Excellency Dr Ismail Shafeeu,
President of International Global Network Muhammad Fahrizal,
Distinguished guests, teachers, students and visiting delegates,
Assalamalaikum and a very good morning to you all.
It is a pleasure to join you here at the opening of the fourteenth iteration of the Asia World Model United Nations.
If you have ever opened Instagram or Tiktok for a “quick” scroll you will be very familiar with this pattern.
One moment it is a meme. The next, a promo we skip. Then, suddenly a flood. Then, a conflict. And then a protest in a place you just learnt of.
Everything appears in the same feed at the same speed.
That, in itself, says something important about the world we live in today.
What is far away, and what is right in front of you, are no longer separated.
And your generation understands this better than any generation before it.
And that is both a privilege and a responsibility.
A privilege because you are more connected, informed and aware.
A responsibility because the pace makes it harder to understand, reflect and respond meaningfully.
Today, we are living through a period of profound uncertainty.
Climate change is placing pressure on vulnerable communities.
Public health systems are continuing to face stress and inequality.
Political polarisation, misinformation and distrust are weakening cohesion within societies, and cooperation between nations.
These are not isolated issues.
They are interconnected challenges in an interconnected world.
They remind us of the simple - but important truth, that no one country, one institution, or one leader alone can solve those uncertainties. Address those challenges.
In a world shaped by interdependence, progress must depend on engagement. It must depend on rules, partnerships, and mutual respect.
This is a principle that small states like the Maldives have long understood.
Sixty years ago, the Maldives chose precisely that path.
When we were admitted as the 117th Member State of the United Nations, we were a newly independent nation with limited resources and an uncertain future.
Back then, many questioned whether a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) could ever have a meaningful voice in shaping global affairs.
They questioned whether we could fully undertake the responsibilities of being a member of the global community.
But the Maldives understood an important reality from the very beginning: in a system defined by interdependence, size does not determine relevance. Engagement does.
And so, we chose not to stand at the margins but to participate in it.
We learned to navigate its structures. We contributed within its institutions. And over time, we helped shape parts of it.
For the Maldives, multilateralism has been essential. It has been the space through which a small state likes us ensures that its concerns are heard and prioritised.
We are proud to be a strong advocate for climate action, sustainable development, and the protection of human rights.
We have worked to ensure that the realities of SIDS are tests of the international system’s credibility.
Outdated global financial architectures, persistent inequality, financing gaps, and the widening digital divide continue to constrain progress.
This is why the Maldives continues to support a United Nations that is stronger, more representative, and more responsive.
This is why responsibility must be shared.
And why leadership today must be responsible.
Choosing between clear right and wrong is, in many ways, the easier part.
The harder task is making decisions between imperfect outcomes.
It requires judgement. It requires restraint. And it requires a clear sense of purpose.
Because in the end, cooperation matters. Trust matters. And, dialogue matters.
These are habits that must be cultivated early. In classrooms. In conversations. And, in debates such as the ones you will engage during this conference.
This is where platforms like Model United Nations play an important role.
At one level, it is a simulation of diplomacy. But its real value lies elsewhere.
It also teaches something that is rare.
The ability to listen to those you disagree with, without dismissing them.
It teaches patience. Discipline. Empathy.
And to defend principles while still respecting differences.
These are not just conference skills.
These are survival skills for the 21st century.
So do not underestimate your role here.
Age is not the determinant of relevance.
Engagement is. Curiosity is. And the willingness to learn is.
We are living in a time where every crisis is visible in real time.
In such an environment, the challenge is perspective.
The question before you is, not whether you will shape the future.
You will.
The question is what kind of future you will help to shape.
One that is more divided, or more cooperative,
… more cynical, or more constructive,
… more unstable, or more resilient.
Despite the uncertainty around us, I remain optimistic.
Not because the challenges are small.
But because I believe in the capacity of people, especially young people like you, to rise to meet them.
The tides of tomorrow are not fixed.
They will be shaped by the values you uphold, the choices you make, and the courage you demonstrate when faced with difficult decisions.
So participate fully in this conference.
Speak with confidence.
Listen with humility.
Lead with integrity.
And remember that the future is something you help create.
I wish all of you a meaningful conference, thoughtful discussions, lasting friendships, and an inspiring journey ahead.
I thank you.