Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has pledged to establish a President of the General Assembly (PGA) Youth Fellowship Programme.
In a statement to mark International Youth Day, Minister Shahid said he is a firm believer in the importance of youth participation in shaping decisions that affect their future. As the President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Minister Shahid said he intends to establish the PGA Youth Fellowship Programme to develop the next generation of diplomats and civil servants.
Shahid said candidates chosen for the programme will be brought to New York for a year to expose them to the United Nations system and making them strong advocates for multilateralism. He also said an inclusive support mechanism for the youth is required for a transformative change to a healthy population and environment and that youth voices should be heard in achieving a sustainable and equitable food system.
As the President of the UNGA, Minister Shahid has vowed to address the needs of the people and ensure more participation from youth in the general assembly as well as to raise his voice against gender discrimination and advocate for gender equality.
The Maldives won the election to the post of the president of the 76th session of the UNGA at the elections held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on June 7. Minister Shahid won the election with 143 votes, out of a total of 191 votes cast.