This year marks two monumental milestones: the sixtieth anniversary of the Maldives’ membership in the United Nations and eight decades of the United Nations itself. Throughout our membership, the Maldives has consistently demonstrated that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) can profoundly shape the multilateral system - from our pioneering advocacy for climate action through the Malé Declaration on Global Warming and Sea Level Rise to our pioneering role in the formation of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).
As a nation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to multilateralism and the rule of international law. Our concurrent service as Vice-President of the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council reflects our dedication to collective action aimed at eliminating poverty, vulnerability, and conflict in all their forms.
However, even as we commit ourselves to continued active participation, we are witnessing an erosion of trust in multilateralism and in multilateral institutions. Truly meaningful international cooperation can only be achieved through the genuine commitment of all Member States. On this United Nations Day, we therefore urge every Member State to dedicate their greatest efforts to advancing multilateralism in a world that has grown increasingly divided.
This collective action must lead to meaningful reform of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council. Faith in international law must be restored. We have witnessed this faith significantly eroded by the miscarriage of justice in Palestine. The principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, the equal rights of all peoples, and the right to self-determination, must be upheld universally and without exception.
As we commemorate this United Nations Day, let us renew our collective commitment to the ideals upon which this organization was founded. The challenges we face - from climate change to conflict, from inequality to injustice - can only be addressed through unity of purpose and genuine partnership. The Maldives stands ready to work alongside all nations in strengthening the multilateral system and building a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world for all.
ENDS
