Message from Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid

Commonwealth Day is an annual celebration observed by people all over the Commonwealth in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe.

The theme for Commonwealth Day 2022 was 'Delivering a Common Future' – which highlights how the 54 member countries in the Commonwealth family are ‘innovating, connecting and transforming’ to help achieve goals like fighting climate change, promoting good governance, and boosting trade.

Foreign Minister of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid has said a few words regarding the day and its theme for this year.

"Today, on Commonwealth Day, we join all Commonwealth members, spanning the globe, to celebrate cultural diversity, friendship and the values that bind us. It is a day to reflect on the progress we have made and celebrate our people who have made it possible. This is also the time to weigh up on what more we can do to realize our vision to advance our shared priorities.

COVID-19 has brought a number of economic issues to the forefront and revealed our shared fragility. It brought with it a new set of challenges, but it also presented us with many opportunities. With the economic recovery underway, the need for more resilient and sustainable growth is greater. This year’s theme demonstrates the many levels at which we need cooperation to ensure that we achieve our shared goals.

Commonwealth-Maldives relations have been wide-ranging and prosperous. It has grown to adapt well to our foreign policy priorities over the decades. Our people are deeply appreciative of the opportunities we receive, particularly in the fields of environment, education, technology, and sports. Our joint efforts in echoing and championing the voice and needs of SIDS is fundamental as well.

We are proud to have re-joined this family. As the Commonwealth continues to serve as a beacon of hope for many, we look forward to enhancing our partnership in finding solutions to our shared challenges through collective action. In light of this, we reaffirm our commitment to work with the Commonwealth to uphold and work together in ‘Delivering a Common Future'."

We hope that everyone can work together to deliver a common, bright future. Not just for themselves, but for everyone around them as well.