Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalam alaikum and a very good evening.
Tomorrow is our 61st anniversary of independence. Certainly, a joyous occasion for any nation.
Made even more special with your presence here with us.
A heartfelt welcome to all of you here today.
I wish to acknowledge the presence of His Excellency Dr Khalilur Rahman, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Special Guest of the Government of Maldives to participate in the events marking the 61st Independence Day.
Thank you, my dear colleague, for being here.
The Minister has also been elected as the President of the General Assembly. I congratulate him on this achievement and wish him the best.
I wish to also acknowledge the presence of my fellow cabinet colleagues:
The Minister of Economic Development, Transport, and Trade, His Excellency Mohamed Saeed
The Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture, and Ocean Resources, His Excellency Ahmed Shiyam
And the Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy His Excellency Ali Shareef
Welcome to all.
For much of history, nations have been measured by what they own.
The size of their territories.
The strength in their economies.
The resources they command.
And, the power they are able to project.
Imagine, for a moment, the Maldives in 1965. A newly independent nation taking its first steps into the international community.
No vast territory. No large economy. No abundance of resources. No hard power to project beyond our shores.
By conventional measures, this did not look like a country that would survive – let alone succeed.
There was little to indicate the journey that lay ahead.
But what we had was our independence.
Independence gave us the freedom to shape our future, the freedom to pursue our foreign policy, and the freedom to define our own path.
But from the very start, we knew that independence alone would not be enough.
It was the friendships we forged, the partnerships we built, and the trust we earned among nations that gave us the strength to walk that path.
The story of the Maldives was never written alone.
It was shaped by the many countries and the many partners who stood with us as we found our place in the world.
Many of the nations represented here tonight have been part of that journey.
You supported our aspirations. Invested in our people. And, opened doors for cooperation to better engage with the world.
For that friendship, and for that trust, we remain deeply grateful.
Over the past six decades, the Maldives has transformed in ways that few could have foreseen.
We have built a world-renowned tourism sector.
We have led the way in sustainable fisheries.
We have expanded our international partnerships.
We have become a committed voice on issues including climate change, sustainable development, and the protection of our shared ocean.
Our progress was always defined by our willingness to engage, adapt, and contribute.
Our experience has taught us an important lesson.
Vulnerability does not diminish our capacity to make a difference.
If anything, it gives us a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the world.
As a Small Island Developing State, we understand adaptation because we live with its realities.
We understand sustainability because our future depends on it.
We understand cooperation because no nation can meet today’s challenges alone.
Especially a small one.
The question before us is not whether a small state can contribute.
The question is how we can contribute more.
Today, the world faces challenges that do not recognise borders.
Climate change is accelerating.
Economic uncertainty is affecting communities everywhere.
Geopolitical tensions are placing greater pressure on the international system.
In this environment, cooperation is the foundation upon which our shared future depends.
The Maldives will continue to support an open, rules-based international order where all states have their sovereignty respected, their voices heard, and their interests protected.
We stand for dialogue, and diplomacy.
We support multilateralism and international cooperation.
These are the fundamentals of President Dr Muizzu’s Maldives First Foreign Policy
Protecting our interests, while contributing to make the world better.
Making our voices heard, especially on issues near and dear to us.
This is why we are seeking membership of the Human Rights Council for the term 2028-2030.
And why we will be a member of the Economic and Social Council for the term 2027-2029.
This is why we are seeking membership of the Security Council for the term 2033-2034.
This is why we are seeking to host Conferences, workshops, and seminars here in the Maldives.
Including the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2028.
Because we do not believe – for one second – that size determines destiny.
Our shores remain open for friends who respect us, for partners who value us, and for investments that nourish us.
As we celebrate our independence, we also renew our invitation to our friends and partners.
Come and experience the warmth of the Maldives and the hospitality of our people.
Come and explore opportunities to invest, innovate, and build with us.
Come and be part of a future shaped by partnership, resilience, and shared ambition.
It’s only been a few months since I have taken on this role of Minister.
If you ask me what it is like on any given day: The answer is actually quite simple.
If the phone does not ring, you start wondering what's wrong.
If it does ring, you wonder what is wrong.
But jokes aside, I want to take a moment to say thank you.
People often see the pictures. They hear the speeches. They read the press releases.
These make the headlines.
What they don’t always see are the conversations that happen before the meeting.
The calls made across time zones.
The relationships built over years.
The trust that is earned long before agreements are signed or announcements are made.
That is the true work of diplomacy.
And it is work that none of us do alone.
And for that, once again, I thank you for your friendship and your partnership.
You have certainly made my job easier, and far more meaningful.
Sixty-one years ago, the Maldives asked the world to recognise a new nation.
Today, we stand as a partner ready to cooperate, contribute, and build together.
We remember those who believed in us at the beginning.
We value those who stand with us today.
And we welcome those who will shape the future with us tomorrow.
Because the story of the Maldives has always been built through partnership.
And the next chapter will be no different.
I also wish to thank my team – Team Khaarijee – for their team spirit, professionalism, and their excellent work.
I thank you.