Foreign Minister Shahid Advocates for Solidarity, Science and Shared Solutions to Build Back Better

Yesterday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid took part in the 2021 ECOSOC Special Ministerial Meeting on “A Vaccine for All” organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). 

This Ministerial Meeting was a virtual gathering of world leaders who came together to converse on the global vaccine situation and push for a global commitment towards equitable and timely distribution of COVID-19 vaccines through accelerated international cooperation and assistance. The meeting was aimed at addressing the current efforts in mobilizing a coordinated and coherent global response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the adverse socio-economic impacts on people across the world. 

Minister Shahid spoke at the meeting and briefed participants on various strategic steps undertaken by the Government of Maldives in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and providing socioeconomic support for those in need. In his statement, Minister noted that 60 percent of the Maldivian population have completed the first-dose of COVID-19 vaccination, including foreigners residing in Maldives, irrespective of their nationality. 

He further highlighted appreciation for the generous assistance and aid extended to the Maldives by bilateral and multilateral partners in terms of grants and concessional loans, which helped to establish a balance between public health and economic resilience. 

Moreover, Minister Shahid called on all the participants to take concrete steps in order to facilitate fair and equitable access to vaccines, while considering the unique situations of different countries.