UNGA President & Maldives Foreign Minister, Abdulla Shahid Launches Youth Fellowship

With a general support of Member States, Foreign Minister of Maldives & the 76^th President of the United Nations General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid launches the President of the General Assembly’s Harnessing Opportunities for Promoting Empowerment of Youth Fellowship – Fellowship for HOPE in New York on November 17^th. The fellowship is set to benefit eight young diplomats over the remainder of the 76^th session.

Applicants will be primarily drawn from the under-represented countries at the UN particularly from the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, aiming to open the doors to inner workings of the UN.

Developed in partnership with the UN Institute for Training and Research, the fellowship is set to allow participants to garner a deeper understanding of the UN system, its organs and subsidiary bodies through training components that shall cover the full gamut of issues relevant to the world today. From climate change to COVID-19, from peace and security, to human rights and gender equality, this fellowship will be remarkable!

During his letter to the Member States, Abdulla Shahid stressed on the flagship initiative of the Presidency of Hope – one that is particularly close to the Minister and President’s heart. His Excellency Shahid believes in the importance of engaging with youth and enhancing the role of them at all levels of decision making.

In terms of selection, Member States have been invited to nominate one candidate for consideration. An independent expert panel, consisting of one Member State, representatives of the UN system and Civil Society Organization will assess candidates, taking into consideration, gender and regional representation.