President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has discussed issuing COVID-19 travel certificates with President of Switzerland Guy Parmelin. The two leaders held the discussion in their meeting on the sidelines of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York City.
In the meeting, discussions were held on several topics pertinent to the mutual interests shared by the two countries, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, tourism cooperation, and counter-terrorism. President Solih enquired on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland, detailing the successful efforts of the Maldives to curb the spread of the virus and reopen borders for tourist arrivals.
The discussion then moved on to prioritising tourism cooperation in COVID-19 recovery plans and establishing a mechanism to issue COVID-19 travel certificates on a reciprocal basis. President Solih also delineated the single-use plastic phase-out plan underway to address marine plastic pollution in the Maldives. The two leaders continued their discussion of the climate emergency, with President Solih commending the leadership of the European Union (EU) in addressing climate financing issues around the world. The Swiss president highlighted the urgency of committing to reduce emissions by 45 percent by 2030 and net-zero by 2050.
President Solih expressed hope that the Maldives, and other vulnerable states, would be able to work with the international community to gain equal and better access to climate financing. Both leaders further emphasised their common commitment to collaborate bilaterally and with international partners to combat terrorism and violent extremism in all their forms.
Concluding discussions, both leaders expressed their interest to continue to work together to enhance the amicable ties between the Maldives and Switzerland in the years to come.