Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has started a series of meetings with representatives appointed by different countries to the United Nations (UN), in his capacity as the newly elected President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Minister Shahid arrived in New York on August 29 to take over reins as the President of the 76th session of the UNGA. Since his arrival in New York, Minister Shahid has met with a number of representatives to UN from different countries, including representatives from the US, Italy, Slovenia and Ireland.
Following his meeting with the Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN, Maurizio Massari, Minister Shahid noted he was assured by the representative on Italy’s support to the UNGA presidency. Noting Italy has a long tradition of strong support for multilateralism, Minister Shahid said he looked forward to working closely with Ambassador Massari.
During the meeting with the Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the UN Bostjan Malovrh, who is also a Vice President for the 76th session of UNGA, Minister Shahid held discussions with the representative on the priorities for the UNGA. Discussions were also held on the priorities of Slovenia during its presidency of the EU.
During the meeting held with US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas Greenfield, Minister Shahid briefed the ambassador on the priorities and plans for the upcoming session of the UNGA. He also expressed gratitude for the support assured by the US to the new UNGA presidency.
In the meeting held with the Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN Geraldine Byrne Nason, who is the incoming President of the UN Security Council (UNSC), Minister Shahid was brief on the UNSC work programme and special events. Following the meeting, Minister Shahid stated he looked forward to continuing these exchanges with the UNSC throughout the general assembly.
Furthermore, Minister Shahid also met with the UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth, Jayathma Wickramanayake, and the Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change. Minister Shahid revealed lots of ideas were exchanged during the meeting on engaging young people in the work of the UNGA.
Minister Shahid has also met with the Foreign Secretary of India Harsh V. Shringla, congratulating him on the work done during India’s presidency of the UNSC for the month of August. Minister Shahid said views were exchanged during the meeting on the mutual priorities for the UNGA session.
Maldives won the presidency of the UNGA at the elections held at the UN Headquarters in New York on June 7. Minister Shahid, the Maldivian candidate, won the election with 143 votes out of a total of 191 votes cast. The victory meant Shahid will be the sixth president from a small island developing state, presiding over the UNGA.