Thank you for your warm welcome.
If you’ve ever bought a product which was delivered through global container shipping, there’s a good chance it came through my neighbourhood.
If you’ve ever operated a machine which consumes imported oil, there’s a good chance, it went through my neighbourhood.
And if you’ve ever gazed at idyllic scenes of island life described as ‘heaven on earth’, it’s very likely that you were looking at my neighbourhood.
I come from a small island nation in one of the most strategic parts of the world. As every student of politics knows, the size of a country and it’s impact are not always the same.
But the Maldives wasn’t always recognized for its strategic importance. It has been and is undergoing a rapid transformation.
Let me take you back just a few decades: fifty-nine years, to be precise. The Maldives had just regained its independence. We were young and impoverished. Not many people had even heard of the Maldives. In fact, when we submitted our application to the UN, some delegations had to reach for their Almanac to search for the country.
Today, the story is a bit different. The Maldives, by any measure, is a development success story. Our white sandy beaches, our clear blue waters, the gardens of life under our seas – are known to the world. We are a strengthening democracy, striving for resilience.
I assumed office as the President of Maldives last November. I made a pledge to Maldivian people that I will, God willing, transform the country into an inclusive and prosperous society.
It wasn’t too long ago that I was in your seats – as a student. I obtained my doctorate degree in civil engineering, across the “pond”, in Britain, at the University of Leeds. Before that, I did my degree and masters, from the same field, at the University College London. It was a time I cherish deeply. I am very happy to be at a university environment again. This time, at one of the highest ranked academic institutions in the world.
The “haven” where Einstein made so many “thought experiments”. The lab where some of the most brilliant minds turned entrepreneurial ideas into reality. Hence, I thank Princeton for this opportunity to speak here today.
It is indeed an honour.
Princeton University and it’s School of Public and International Affairs are a beacon of the principles of governance and society admired around the world. Principles of equality, justice and respect for basic human rights.
In these dark days of war, genocide in Gaza, the suppression of human rights, the normalisation of violence against civilians, even children, it is vital US institutions continue to uphold these principles themselves.
Universities must remain bastions of thought and expression, respecting the right to protest peacefully, responsibly and in a manner that is constructive for society.
I am here in the United States, representing the Maldives, at the UN General Assembly. It was just a few days ago, on September 21st, that the Maldives celebrated the fifty-ninth anniversary of its membership at the United Nations. We joined the world body just 56 days after we regained our independence.
For the Maldives, UN membership was crucial for recognition. For acceptance. In October 1965, just three months after our independence, US President Lyndon Johnson announced his intention to nominate Cecil Burton Lyon to serve as Ambassador to the Maldives.
This was a decision that was of enormous diplomatic significance for the young country. The relationship between the Maldives and the United States is crucial, in upholding a rule-based international order in the Indian Ocean.
Now, some of you might wonder why a partnership between one of the smallest countries in the world and a superpower would be so important.
Well, the answer lies in the “changing tides” of the Indian Ocean.
The sea-lines of communication in the Indian Ocean are crucial to global trade and energy security. One-third of all international bulk cargo traffic goes through the Indian Ocean. Over seventy-five percent of trade between Asia and Europe, goes through the Indian Ocean. Over fifty percent of the world’s daily oil consumption passes through the Indian Ocean.
So clearly, an important region. In the middle of the Indian Ocean sits the Maldives. Occupying over 90 thousand square kilometres. The most frequent routes in the Indian Ocean, are either passing through the Maldives, or just above it.
So, anyone who would like to have a say, and sway the balance of power in the Indian Ocean, would find the Maldives, an attractive place to influence.
We, in the Maldives, are keenly aware of this.
That’s why during last year’s Presidential Election, I made a pledge to uphold and strengthen the Maldives sovereignty and independence.
The respect for sovereignty and sovereign equality among States are the fundamental principles on which today’s international order rests. And the multilateral system operates.
Applying these principles at regional level, we in the Maldives, recognise the importance of upholding a rule-based order in the Indian Ocean. And we value our part in it.
That is why I promised my fellow Maldivians that I will invest in our capacity to contribute and lead global efforts in strengthening an international order based on the principle of multilateralism. So that we may, above all, safeguard our sovereignty and independence.
It is vital for the world that small island states do indeed thrive and prosper. Their interactions with the natural and environmental ecosystems are crucial for the world. We are often the frontline of man’s relationship with environmental challenges and sometimes a bellwether of things to come for other parts of the world.
Small island states are believed to support 20 percent of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. They host forty percent of the world’s coral reefs. They’re at the forefront of research and testing in climate change adaption, valuable not only to themselves but to wider humanity. They are custodians of critical local knowledge in how to manage and conserve marine resources. The world, our lives, would simply not be the same without them.
Since I assumed office, the Maldives has stepped up its advocacy for: Immediate action in managing the climate crisis; And reforming the international financial architecture — to help Small Islands Developing States – known as SIDS – access climate adaptation finance at affordable rates.
The Maldives was privileged to co-chair the intergovernmental negotiations which adopted the programme of actions for SIDS for the next ten years. We have forged a constructive partnership with the Secretariat of the UN Conference on Trade and Development to help SIDS in building their productive capacity. And we will continue to leverage the Maldives leadership that gains respect, and is increasingly relevant, and resilient.
We seek to achieve these objectives, by:
First: diversifying our economy. We’ll expand our sources of revenue. To do that, we’re seeking and attracting more foreign investment into the country. To facilitate that, I’ve already taken steps to reform the foreign investment promotion and protection regime.
Last month, the Maldives Parliament passed a new Foreign Investment Act. We’re embarking on a digital transformation programme and the use of artificial intelligence. We’re supporting micro, small and medium enterprises through small loans, especially targeted towards the youth, women, and disabled persons. We are expanding our tourist source markets. Last year, the US was the sixth largest market. This year, we target to welcome more than two million tourists to our country. To achieve this, our international airport expansion project is being accelerated to expand its carrying capacity.
Second: the Maldives will amplify its leadership and advocacy for stronger action to prevent a climate disaster. The Maldives is synonymous with environmental conservation efforts, sustainability, and climate action. We’ve been sounding the alarm on sea level rise for decades.
The Maldives initiated and hosted the very first international conference of small states. That gathering adopted the 1989 Malé Declaration which identified specific actions to slow-down global warming. We’ve stepped up and increased our ambitions on climate action since. We’re on track to generate 33 percent of our electricity through renewable energy by 2028. We’re experimenting with floating solar panels and investing in better waste management.
We are planning to develop smart, climate friendly, and sustainable urban centres in various parts of the country. This includes the development of a new island called Ras Malé which would become an eco-city—a smart city where innovation will thrive. With the Ras Malé initiative, we’re also transforming our society into one where women and the youth play the lead roles in driving the economy and in nation-building.
Third: We’ll strengthen our democracy and state-capacity. It’s only been sixteen years since the Maldives transitioned to a multi-party democracy. By every measure, we’re still a young democracy. Our institutions need to mature further. Our government, our society, and the entire system, need to be free from corruption. And this work is continuing – especially with the support of our partners, such as the United States. This support is necessary for the Maldives, for the US and for the future order in the Indian Ocean.
For this order will be decided at its geographical mid-point, which is where the Maldives sits. It is indeed the place where the destinies of the Indian Ocean and that of the major trade routes of the world will be decided. A prosperous, strong, and fiercely independent Maldives is important to us all, and everyone.
I thank you.