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. 

Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency Sering Modou Njie,

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the State of Palestine, Her Excellency Dr. Varsen Aghabekian Shahuin,

Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, His Excellency Hissein Brahim Taha,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu,

We meet again at a critical moment. Since we last met, almost a year ago in this very hall, we unfortunately find ourselves discussing once again the fate of our Palestinian brothers and sisters.

During this holy month of Ramadan, we are reminded of compassion, justice, and moral responsibility. Yet even during this sacred time, Palestinians continue to endure occupation and dispossession.

While we fast and pray, their land is being confiscated in the occupied West Bank under the label of “state property.”

This decision by Israel seeks to impose an illegal reality on the ground. It expands settlements and deepens the process of annexation.

These actions clearly violate international law. They undermine prospects for peace and deny the Palestinian people their fundamental rights.

Excellencies,

Let us be clear: Palestinian lands belong to Palestinians.

For decades, we have witnessed the steady expansion of settlements across the occupied West Bank. Homes have been demolished, communities displaced, and Palestinian families stripped of their rights. Each new announcement of settlement expansion or land appropriation tightens the grip of occupation and pushes the prospects of peace further out of reach.

The Maldives strongly condemns the Israeli occupation’s decision to convert land into so-called ‘state property.’ This constitutes a serious violation of international law and represents a continuation of illegal settlement policies that undermine the rights of the Palestinian people.

Excellencies,

The only lasting resolution can be achieved through the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In line with our principled position, the Maldives is doing all it can:

At the International Court of Justice

At the United Nations

At home, through punitive measures

By supporting humanitarian efforts, including UNRWA

And by always lending our voice, our solidarity, our support.

Excellencies,

The Palestinian people have endured decades of occupation and denial of their fundamental rights, yet their resilience remains unbroken. Their right to self-determination is non-negotiable and their homeland is not for sale.

We need to think together, look within ourselves – at what it is that we, as a collective ummah can do. Not just words, but concrete actions.

The Maldives will not waver in its support. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people – to freedom, to sovereignty, and to living in dignity, peace, and security on their own land.

 

I thank you.

Mr. President,

Mr. High Commissioner,

Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen.

It is an honour to address this Council for a second time.

When the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in December 1948, it did more than articulate ideals. It distilled centuries of human struggle into a simple principle that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

Since then, the international community has built a remarkable legal architecture to protect that principle. Treaties were written. Institutions were created. Norms were agreed upon. And together, they form one of humanity’s most ambitious undertakings.

But progress does not move in a straight line.

The complexities of the modern world test not only our institutions, but our convictions. They compel us to ask whether the promises we made to one another and to future generations, are strong enough to withstand the pressures of rapid change, deepening inequality, and growing uncertainty.

For the Maldives, this much is clear.

The challenges may be new. The pace may be faster. The tools may be different. But the values upon which our success depends on are not. And it is through multilateralism that those values find meaning and purpose.

The Maldives is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, both domestically and internationally. For us, it is an essential foundation for sustainable and inclusive development.

Domestically, we continue to strengthen democratic governance, the rule of law, and institutional accountability. Since the adoption of our 2008 Constitution, our democratic institutions have steadily matured through successive electoral cycles, with Presidential and Parliamentary elections widely recognised by international and domestic observers as peaceful, inclusive, and credible. Alongside this consolidation, broad legislative and institutional reforms have been undertaken to reinforce governance, combat corruption, expand labour protections, and strengthen access to justice.

These reforms include measures to enhance accountability within law enforcement and the justice sector, strengthen oversight mechanisms, and promote a rights-centred approach to public administration. Institutional capacity has been reinforced through legislative reform, professional training, and improved safeguards to ensure transparency, due process, and public trust.

We have prioritised inclusion and social equity. Women’s participation in local governance has increased substantially through electoral quotas, while targeted financial schemes support women entrepreneurs, including women with disabilities. National action plans guide reforms to advance the rights of persons with disabilities, strengthen child protection systems, and expand access to social services. Targeted programmes are being conducted for young people. We are expanding access to education, healthcare, and social welfare. These measures reflect our commitment to building an inclusive society grounded in dignity, opportunity, and equal protection under the law.

Internationally, the Maldives engages with the human rights system in the same constructive spirit. We recently concluded our fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review and continue active engagement with treaty bodies. We also maintain a standing invitation to all Special Procedures Mandate Holders and value their recommendations as an important contribution to our ongoing reform efforts.

Mr. President,

As a Small Island Developing State, the Maldives has consistently sought to champion an inclusive approach to human rights. One that recognises the particular challenges faced by Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, and the importance of ensuring their meaningful and sustained participation in this Council. This conviction has guided our support for initiatives that address capacity constraints and enable LDCs and SIDS to engage fully and constructively in the Council’s work.

We have consistently called for accountability for human rights violations. Especially in Palestine, where Israel has repeatedly violated international law, threatened regional stability, destroyed civilian infrastructure, and undermined genuine hope for peace and progress. Despite repeated violations of international law, Israel continues to receive preferential trade treatment and arms transfers that fuel further aggression against the Palestinian people. We reaffirm our steadfast support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination, and for an independent, sovereign State of Palestine established on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The State of Palestine must be admitted as a full member of the United Nations.

We believe that the integrity of the multilateral system depends on the collective commitment of all States – small and large - to uphold justice, inclusivity, and peace through the universal respect for human rights, without selectivity or exception.

Our most recent term on this Council, which concluded last year, reaffirmed our belief in the power of constructive engagement. Building on that experience, and guided by our continued commitment to universality, inclusion, dialogue and cooperation, the Maldives will be seeking election to the Human Rights Council for the term 2028-2030. We seek your support in these elections.

Mr. President,

As the international human rights landscape continues to evolve, this Council has a central responsibility to ensure that the system it stewards remains credible in its standards, inclusive in its processes, and effective in its impact.

The Maldives will continue to engage constructively and in good faith, working closely with the Office of the High Commissioner, Member States, and civil society, to strengthen implementation and cooperation where it matters most.

In doing so, we remain guided by the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; that human rights are universal, indivisible and inseparable from human dignity.

I thank you.