Remarks by His Excellency Moosa Zameer, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Group of Twenty (G20) Second Foreign Ministers Meeting on the Margins of UNGA79
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Distinguished Ministers,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I thank Brazil for taking the initiative to convene this historic meeting- the first meeting of the G20, to take place within the halls of the UN General Assembly.
The world we live in today is significantly different from how we envisioned it to be decades ago. While we have seen significant progress and prosperity that came with advanced technology, many of our deepest challenges remain unresolved. Conflicts continue to rage, inequalities persist, and our vulnerabilities continue to deepen.
For decades, we have set ambitious visions to overcome these challenges. Yet, the gap between aspiration and implementation remains wide. More often than not, we succumb to the storms of competing interests, bureaucratic inertia and the lack of will.
If we are to truly deliver on these visions for a more peaceful, more prosperous world, we cannot continue with the global governance system. In this regard, I am happy to announce that the Maldives supports the Call to Action on Global Governance Reform put forth by the G20.
Excellencies,
The Maldives believes that United Nations was and still is one of the most critical actors of the multilateral order. However, we also believe that the United Nations require reform, to adjust to the geopolitical realities and emerging challenges of the contemporary world.
In the United Nations, we need a more inclusive and equitable Security Council. Small states and underrepresented regions in the Council are often on the frontlines of climate change and other interconnected global threats, yet the Council has no seat for them. This needs to change. We also call for the review of the veto power in the Council, which has too often paralyzed the Council to act in the face of pressing global crises.
With that being said, if the United Nations require change, change must come from all its principal organs. And through this change, we hope for more coherence across the entire UN system. It is time to depart from the structure of silos and to embrace collaboration, streamlining and alignment of universal goals.
Excellencies,
One of the major challenges in achieving the vision set by global agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals is the persistent financial gap. The Maldives, as a Small Island Developing State, is experiencing this firsthand. We need Multilateral Development Banks and International Financial Institutions to be more inclusive. We need development financing models that go beyond traditional metrics.
Excellencies,
These changes cannot happen in a day. These changes require time, and sustained commitment. So let us take this conversation further and rise to the occasion. Let us ensure that the global governance system is one that is rooted in equality, justice and solidarity.
I thank you.
