Bismillah-ah-Rahman-ah-Raheem
His Excellency Ngiraibelas Tmetuchl Minister of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development of Palau,
Mr. Hao Zhang, United Nations Resident Coordinator,
Distinguished Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
A very good afternoon to all!
Today, and yesterday, we have spent many hours – in this hall, and many others – discussing issues of utmost importance for small island developing States.
We have discussed how we can mobilize private-sector as a driver of action in the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS.
We have looked at what needs to be done to create a space that enables finance to not just be available, but easily accessible, adequate and affordable.
We examined the role of artificial intelligence and digitalization in creating a SIDS economy that’s ready for a digital future.
We have also explored how tourism can become more resilient, in the face of growing risks, and how it can lead to stronger economies, and sustainable development that leaves no one behind.
These two days, we have also seen successes of this Forum since 2014. We’ve seen the opportunities for investment, for commerce, for development, in SIDS.
The task at hand now is to take these discussions and turn them into tangible action.
Use the networks we have built, the lessons we have learned, the expertise we have exchanged to make sure that we are able to provide a resilient prosperity for SIDS.
This Forum was the product of the hard work of many hands and many minds. And I wish to take a moment to thank them.
I thank our co-organizers the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, and the SIDS Centre of Excellence, as well as the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States for their excellent collaboration and cooperation to make this Forum and the launch of the Island Investment Forum a success.
I also wish to thank the Ministry of Economic Development, Transport, and Trade for their partnership with our team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
I wish to also thank the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture, and Ocean Resources, and the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation for their support to make this Forum, including tomorrow’s site visits a success!
I also wish to acknowledge with sincere appreciation the support we have received from the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (Mifco), State Electric Company (STELCO), Housing Development Corporation, and the Public Service Media (PSM) for ensuring this Forum has been an enjoyable and successful Forum!
I also recognize the excellent work by the event management team, ChopArt, and the support by Barceló Nasandhura Malé Hotel, to bring this Forum from the drawing boards to reality.
Maldives will remain open to all SIDS who are interested in learning more from our development journey. From our resilience building efforts. From our conservation stories.
The Maldives also remains open. For investment. For commerce. For enterprise.
When you go back to your homes, your islands, we hope that you recall your time here in the Maldives fondly. Our blue skies. Our turquoise waters. Our warm welcomes.
But most importantly, we hope you recall our biggest takeaway – development is destiny. But destiny is not mere fate. It is the consequence of the many choices we make; the many decisions we take; and the many hours we work.
I thank you.