President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has sent a message of felicitations on the occasion of this year’s Commonwealth Day.
The President’s message reads as follows:
“This year’s Commonwealth Day is one that is particularly special for the Maldives. Even though we are an island nation, we believe that no nation is an island unto themselves. To address the global challenges of our times, require the strength of the collective. Which is why, after a four-year absence, and in line with the aspirations of our people, just a few weeks earlier, we rejoined the Commonwealth. To be counted amongst the Commonwealth family once again is for us a great source of pride.
The Commonwealth brings together people from different social, political and economic backgrounds to interact and cooperate with each other on a variety of global issues, bound by shared values and common goals. The Maldives has benefitted immensely from working together with the Commonwealth family in the past, and I am confident that our shared links will drive our priorities forward in the future.
The Commonwealth’s efforts in several areas such as promoting democracy, protecting the environment, enhancing trade, promoting gender equality, empowering young people through education, health and sports, and supporting civil society, have been invaluable. The Commonwealth has also acted as a voice for small states. We look forward to engaging with the Commonwealth at all levels on these essential concerns.
The Maldives was proud to host the inaugural meeting of Commonwealth Youth Ministers in 1992. The Commonwealth also provided valuable and timely humanitarian assistance following the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. We have many Commonwealth scholarship alumni, and we recognise the role the Commonwealth has played in building our institutional capacity through numerous training and capacity building programmes.
It is my hope that through innovative and transformative actions and greater connectivity, we will be able to deliver a common, prosperous future for all Commonwealth citizens”.
The Maldives rejoined the Commonwealth on 1st February 2020. President Solih stated that rejoining the organisation is symbolic of this Administration’s commitment to engage with the international community and to deliver on our domestic pledges to citizens in good faith.