Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid calls for unity in the fight against the Covid-19 global pandemic emphasizing that the world would prevail only by working together in cooperation with all partners and stakeholders.
He made this call in the Online Summit level Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Contact Group in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, via videoconference.
Shahid elaborated on the steps taken by the Government of Maldives in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the devastating effects the virus has had on the Maldivian economy.
He called on the Non-Aligned Movement to draw international attention towards the vulnerabilities of its smaller members, particularly by highlighting the need for a moratorium on debt, which is detrimental to achieving sustainable development.
He reaffirmed that the smaller members of NAM rely on the Movement to mobilize support and call for long-term action from larger states.
Shahid expressed gratitude towards Maldives’ development partners, especially those from the South Asia region, for their support in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister Shahid also pledged Maldives’ support for NAM’s decision to establish the Non-Aligned Movement Task Force to combat COVID-19, a key outcome of the Summit. The NAM Task Force will act as a conduit for the Member States to submit their basic humanitarian and medical needs which will then be shared with donor countries, international organizations and private entities to mobilize support and assistance.
He further pledged extended Maldives’ support for the World Health Organization (WHO) in leading the global public health response, as well as other international and regional organizations.
Shahid emphasized that the world will prevail only by working together in cooperation with all partners and stakeholders, and called for a unified response to the pandemic.
The Non-Aligned Movement comprises of 120 Member States, and is one of the largest international organizations after the United Nations. The Maldives joined NAM on 15 August 1976 and has been an active member of the organization.
