The regular session of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly came to a close on 23rd December 2015, following the conclusion of the deliberations of the budgetary and administrative committee of the General Assembly, including deliberations on the biennium budget for the United Nations for the 2016-2017 biennium.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon attended the concluding session, which was presided over by H.E. Mr. Mogens Lykketoft, the President of the UN General Assembly. While speaking at the session, the Secretary-General highlighted the accomplishments of the UN throughout the year, noting that it was fitting that the budget of the United Nations reflect the various multilateral frameworks that had been adopted throughout the year.
2015 marks a milestone year in the field of multilateralism. Four major agreements were concluded this year, which also marks the 70th anniversary of the United Nations. These include the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The Maldives delegation to the 70th session was led by Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Ms. Dunya Maumoon. Minister Dunya attended the high level segment of the 70th session and addressed the General Assembly on 3 October 2015 under the General Debate. In her statement, Minister Dunya questioned whether, in celebrating its 70th anniversary, the United Nations had achieved its goal, as set out in the Charter, of serving the people. The Organization has partially succeeded in its mission, but has notably failed to protect the environment, the Minister noted. She emphasized the importance of reforming the Organization in order to ensure that the newly adopted Agenda for Sustainable Development are achieved. “Building the resilience of our people must remain at the center of all our efforts: abroad and at home”, said Minister Dunya. Reflecting on the domestic context, Minister Dunya noted that national development program currently being implemented by His Excellency President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is demonstrative of this process.
While in New York, she also attended and addressed the General Assembly Summit held for the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The current year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Maldives Membership at the United Nations together with the golden jubilee of Maldivian independence. The Maldives delegation celebrated this milestone throughout the session, through its statements and interventions. Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon also hosted a reception on the occasion, which was held in September at the UN Headquarters.
The Maldives actively and substantively engaged in the 70th session of the General Assembly focusing on 16 key areas, ranging from Sustainable Development to International Peace and Security. 43 statements were delivered by the Maldives during the 70th session, including in the High Level Segment and in the various committees. In it’s national capacity, the Maldives co-sponsored a total of 40 resolutions, and supported 14 more resolutions as a Member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 and China. This included seven new resolutions in support of Palestine and the Occupied Syrian Golan, as well as various other initiatives in sustainable development and human rights.
As Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) the Maldives also represented the group of 37 UN Member States in the deliberations concerning sustainable development, climate change, disaster risk reduction and oceans.
The Maldives delegation to the 70th session also included Minister of Environment and Energy H.E. Mr. Thoriq Ibrahim, Foreign Secretary Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed and Maldives Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mr. Ahmed Sareer and the staff at the Maldives Mission in New York.
The General Assembly has thus concluded the regular session, and will begin its resumed session in 2016.
