Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has held discussions with senior officials of the Government of Austria.
Minister Shahid met the senior government officials during his visit to Vienna to take part in the Fifth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament hosted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
During his visit, Minister Shahid met with Chancellor of Austria Sebastian Kurz and conveyed his priorities as the president-elect of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Minister Shahid also congratulated Austria for the successful organising of the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament and the Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament.
Furthermore, Minister Shahid met Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and praised Austria for having a proud history of championing multilateralism. He also held discussions with Minister of Defence Kaludia Tanner and commended Austria's commitment to multilateralism and engagement in upholding international peace and security, through its deployment of peacekeepers.
During his visit to Vienna, Minister Shahid also held discussions with parliamentarians, United Nations members, and other partners. As such, Minister Shahid President of IPU Duarte Pacheco and Secretary General Martin Chungong,
Additionally, the minister met with President of the Senate Razafimahefa Herimanana and President of the National Assembly Christine RazanamaHasoa to discuss the role that parliaments can play in achieving sustainable development goals and taking climate action with cooperation with the United Nations.
The minister also gave a speech at the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, during which he highlighted the importance of the involvement of parliaments in implementing his theme of hope in the 76th UNGA.