Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel has assured the Maldives is committed to working with the voiceless, marginalised and smallest countries to ensure that no one is left behind. He made the remarks in his statement at the High-Level Segment of the ongoing 49th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Speaking at the session, State Minister Khaleel congratulated Federico Villegas for being elected as the President of the 49th Session of the UNHRC and assured support from the Maldives during his presidency. The state minister stressed the importance of ensuring equitable and affordable access to COVID-19 vaccines to all and noted the Maldives is on the road to recovery from the pandemic. He also elaborated on the achievements attained by the Maldives in addressing climate change and recalled that the Maldives was a lead co-sponsor of the resolution on the recognition of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a human right, for the first time.
Furthermore, State Minister Khaleel noted the Maldives continues to engage with human rights mechanisms on a broader scale and emphasised the importance of promoting diversity and universality in the council. He expressed deep concern about the escalating humanitarian situation in Ukraine and called on all concerned parties to uphold their obligations under international human rights law and humanitarian law.