President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated the Maldives secured the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) presidency due to international acceptance towards Maldives’ foreign policy. He made the remarks in the 2022 Presidential Address delivered at the Parliament of the Maldives.
In his address, President Solih said that Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives Abdulla Shahid securing the presidency of the 76th session of the UNGA was a great honour for the whole nation. He said this was made possible by the strong foreign policy of the administration, which was well accepted by the international community.
Highlighting the foreign policy of the administration, the president stated the policies were built upon protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, protecting human rights, upholding the principles of democracy, and safeguarding the country from climate change. The president noted being marginalized in a globalised world served no purpose. He went on to say that alliance is the only way to achieve peace, security, and prosperity.
In his address, the president assured that the Maldives will play its part in maintaining the Indian Ocean's peace and security. He added that his top priority was to safeguard the independence and sovereignty of the country and to provide a peaceful and secure environment for the Maldivian people.
Speaking about efforts to improve policing in the country, President Solih stated that the plan to establish police presence on all inhabited islands by the end of this term was being carried out. He stated that neighbourhood policing had been established in Huvadhu Atoll, Ari Atoll, and the four cities in Maldives in order to increase the role of police in maintaining public harmony, adding that the next atolls to adopt the model would be Kaafu Atoll and Thaa Atoll.
In his address, the president praised the Maldives Police Service, Maldives Customs Services, and other relevant institutions for their efforts in combatting drug abuse and illicit narcotics trade over the last three years.