FM Khaleel: Geopolitical uncertainties have raised importance of international cooperation for Maldives

Geopolitical uncertainties have raised the importance of international cooperation for the Maldives, says Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel.

Khaleel made the remark in a message on Monday on occasion of the 77th Commonwealth Day.

In his message, Khaleel said that the theme for this year’s Commonwealth Day - unlocking opportunities together for a prosperous Commonwealth - deeply resonates with the shared values and common goals within the Commonwealth family.

Khaleel said that the Commonwealth has stood as a beacon of hope amidst an evolving global landscape for more than seven decades.

“For the Commonwealth, its unity and diversity have been the greatest strength to address our shared challenges and unlock new opportunities that can ensure sustainable prosperity for all Commonwealth members, regardless of their size,” he said.

Khaleel said that for the Maldives, the Commonwealth has long been a platform in which voices are heard and acted upon, championing the collective interests of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like the Maldives.

“It has been a steadfast partner in strengthening our economic resilience through climate finance and climate action initiatives,” he said.

Khaleel said that the geopolitical uncertainties have raised the value of cooperation.

“In an era of geopolitical uncertainties, the value of cooperation cannot be overstated, especially for us small states,” he said.

He called on member states to reaffirming their commitment to ensuring that the Commonwealth remains a responsive platform, capable of addressing the challenges of today.

“The Maldives reiterates its firm commitment to playing an active role within the Commonwealth to shape a resilient and prosperous furfure for all our member states,” he said.

The remarks come mere weeks after fellow Commonwealth member state, Mauritius, suspended diplomatic relations with Maldives over the Chagos dispute – marking the first time for a country, much less a Commonwealth country, to sever ties with the Maldives.

The Commonwealth is an international association of 56 member states, the vast majority of which are former territories of the British Empire.

The Maldives originally joined the Commonwealth in 1982, but left the association in 2016, during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration, before rejoining it in 2020, during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration.