Candidatures
Ongoing Candidatures
United Nations Security Council (UNSC), 2033-2034
The Republic of Maldives has presented its candidature for a non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council, for the term 2033-2034, on 22 November 2022. The election is scheduled to be held during the eighty-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2032.
Human Rights Council (HRC), 2028-2030
The Republic of Maldives has presented its candidature for membership of the Human Rights Council for the term 2028-2030. The election is scheduled to be held during the eighty-second session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2027.
Completed Candidatures
Colombo Plan Secretary General, 2011-2015
Mr Adam Maniku served as the Secretary General of the Colombo Plan for the term 2011-2015.
The Colombo Plan for Cooperative Economic and Social Development in Asia and the Pacific was conceived at the Commonwealth Conference on Foreign Affairs held in Colombo, Sri Lanka in January 1950 and was launched on 1 July 1951 as a cooperative venture for the economic and social advancement of the peoples of South and Southeast Asia.
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
ECOSOC, 2027-2029
The Republic of Maldives presented its candidature to the United Nations Economic and Social Council for the term 2027 – 2029, on 22 November 2022. The Maldives was elected to the Council for the first time during the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly on 4 June 2026.
Membership of the Human Rights Council (HRC)
HRC, 2011-2013
The Maldives was elected to the Human Rights Council with 185 votes at the election which took place during the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on 13 May 2010. At the time of election, Maldives was the smallest state to be elected to the Human Rights Council.
HRC, 2014-2016
The Maldives was re-elected to the Human Rights Council for a second term with 164 votes at the election which took place during the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on 12 November 2013.
The Maldives, advocated for global efforts at increasing the resilience of SIDS, as well as emerging democracies, in bringing their national human rights mechanisms to international standards during its membership.
HRC, 2023-2025
The Maldives was elected to the Human Rights Council for a third term with 154 votes at the election which took place during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on 11 October 2023.
The Maldives' tenure focused on strengthening global human rights mechanisms while drawing international attention to the severe impacts of climate change on small island developing states. This term marked the third time the Maldives held a seat on the UNHRC, having previously served from 2011–2013 and 2014–2016.
In 2023, Maldives served as one of the Vice Presidents of the Bureau of HRC in 2023, representing the Asia Pacific Group. In 2025, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Her Excellency Dr Salma Rasheed, represented the Asia-Pacific Group as Vice President of the HRC.
Commission on the Status of Women
CSW, 2026-2030
The Maldives was elected to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) for the term 2026 at the election held at the Economic and Social Council in New York on 4 April 2025.
Economic and Financial Committee of the UNGA (Second Committee)
Second Committee of UNGA, 2026-2027
The Maldives was elected as the Vice-Chair of the Economic and Financial Committee of the UNGA for the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly during the elections held at 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, in New York on 2 June 2026.
The Maldives will be represented in the Committee by Mr. Hussain Azhaan Mohamed Hussain, Second Secretary at the Permanent Mission of the Maldives to the UN.
Membership of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT)
SPT, 2011-2014
Justice Aisha Shujune Muhammad served on the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture, for the term 2011-2014. She was elected during the 3rd meeting of States Parties to the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, in Geneva on 28 October 2010.
SPT, 2015-2018
Justice Aisha Shujune Muhammad served on the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture, for the term 2015-2018. She was elected during the 5th meeting of States Parties to the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, in Geneva on 23 October 2014.
SPT, 2021-2024
Justice Aisha Shujune Muhammad was elected to serve on the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture for the term 2021-2024. She was elected during the 8th meeting of States Parties to the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, in Geneva on 22 October 2020.
SPT, 2025-2028
Justice Aisha Shujune Muhammad is currently serving on the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture for the term 2025-2028. She was elected during the 10th meeting of States Parties to the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, in Geneva on 24 October 2024.
Executive Board of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), 2013-2015
The Maldives was elected by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and served a three-year term, from 2013 to 2015, on the Executive Board of UN-Women. During its tenure, the Maldives contributed towards strengthening the work of the organization.
The Maldives was represented at the UN Women Executive Board by the Permanent Mission of Maldives in New York.
Presidency of the 76th United Nations General Assembly (PGA), 2021-2022
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, served as the 76th President of the United Nations General Assembly. He was elected with 143 votes at the election which took place during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 7 June 2021.
This was the first time the Maldives was elected to head a main organ of the United Nations. It was also only the sixth time an individual from a Small Island Developing State was elected as the President of the United Nations General Assembly.
The theme of his Presidency was “A presidency of Hope: delivering for people, for the planet and for prosperity”
Further he prioritized the following themes, also known as his “five rays of hope”.
· Recovering from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
· Rebuilding sustainably
· Responding to the needs of the planet
· Respecting the rights of all
· Revitalizing the United Nations
Over the course of the Presidency, 15 High Level Meetings, 103 formal plenary meetings and 28 informal plenary meetings, hearings, thematic debates, and other events were held. A total of 307 resolutions and 140 decisions were adopted. Furthermore, 15 mandated intergovernmental negotiations processes took place and 27 co-facilitators or co-chairs were appointed for these processes.
Some achievements of the Presidency of Hope include:
PGA’s Fellowship for HOPE: The PGA’s Fellowship for HOPE (Harnessing Opportunities for Promoting the Empowerment of Youth) was launched during the Presidency and brought 8 young diplomats from underrepresented countries at the United Nations to work in the PGA’s Office and
their respective Permanent Missions and learn about multilateral engagement in the United Nations.
Follow up to “Our Common Agenda”: General Assembly Resolution 76/6 mandated the President of the General Assembly to initiate a process of follow up which enables all Member States to consider the various proposals in the Secretary-General’s “Our Common Agenda” Report in collaboration with relevant institutions. Five thematic consultations, over 350 statements were delivered, 10 interactive multi-stakeholder panels were held, and over 50 panelists participated. All proposals in the Our Common Agenda report were accepted by Member States. Resolutions on establishing the Youth Office and on the Modalities of the Summit of the Future were also adopted.
Lactation rooms were renovated and expanded to make the United Nations Secretariat Building more family friendly. This initiative was supported by the UN Department of Operational Support, and the Governments of El Salvador and New Zealand.
High-Level Meeting on Delivering Climate Action – for People, for Planet and Prosperity: The meeting was held in the lead up to COP26 and focused on issues including keeping the 1.5 degrees target alive, identified gaps and bottlenecks and showcased ambitious climate action.
Townhall with Civil Society Organizations: A townhall-style meeting was held with civil society representatives to discuss the priorities for the 76th session, ways in which civil society can be more involved in the work of the UN and the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
High-Level Thematic Debate: Galvanizing Momentum for Universal Vaccination: The debate considered the situation of vaccine supply, production and distribution, and the need for universal vaccination to effectively recover from COVID-19.
High-level Thematic Debate on Tourism: This was the first time that tourism was ever discussed at a high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly. The debate considered how tourism can provide opportunities to a number of groups, the growth of sustainable tourism and the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector.
High-level Thematic Debate entitled “Moment for Nature”: The debate focused on the interlinkages and synergies between the various environmental action tracks and presented solutions to the bottlenecks across these tracks.
International Migration Review Forum: As mandated by General Assembly Resolution 73/195, the inaugural International Migration Review Forum was held and brought together Member States and civil society to assess the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and its relationship to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Progress Declaration was adopted by consensus.
UNGA Platform for Women Leaders: In partnership with UN-Women, the UNGA Platform for Women Leaders was launched and institutionalized. Every year, female Heads of State and Government will meet during the high-level week of the General Assembly.
United Nations Security Council (UNSC), 2019-2020
The Maldives competed for membership to the United Nations Security Council, for the term 2019-2020, the election which took place during the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on 8 June 2018.
The Maldives lost the election to Indonesia.