Ambassador Philippe Kridelka, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the UN (left) seen shaking hands with Abdulla Shahid, Foreign Minister of Maldives and 76th President of UNGA (right)
Ambassador Philippe Kridelka, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the UN (left) seen shaking hands with Abdulla Shahid, Foreign Minister of Maldives and 76th President of UNGA (right)

New York, 10 November 2021 (TDI): The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid, and the Belgian Ambassador, Philippe Kridelka; met on 9 November. Shahid and Kridelka discussed a wide range of matters like climate change, vaccines, and gender equality.

Shahid and Kridelka also discussed the two strategies to implement the Common Agenda. The Agenda includes biodiversity, access to vaccines, and gender equality.

SHAHID’S ROLES AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTEREST

Shahid, who also happens to be the President of the UN General Assembly, is a passionate environmentalist. The origin of his participation in climate actions lies in his experience in the impact of environmental forces in his hometown of Malé, Maldives.

Recently, Shahid has been an active participant in the Conference of the Parties (COP26). He advocates for youth and women’s contributions to climate action. In his discourse with Kridelka, the two discussed strategies to implement their Common Agenda of increased biodiversity, access to vaccines, and gender equality.

Shahid, who terms his presidency as a #PresidencyofHope, believes that is necessary to cooperate with officials from around the globe to achieve common objectives. Shahid stated that it is the unity that gives strength in his initial interview for UN News.

SHAHID’S CALL TO THE UN

He then added that given the devastation, the despair, and the heartache that we have had over the last 18 months, it is time that the UN as the body that encompasses the international community, 193 countries, that we the people, unite to give hope that people so desperately need. The meeting seemed to be a manifestation of that hope.

FURTHER DISCUSSIONS

Equal access to vaccines for all people was another significant issue that Shahid and Kridelka discussed during their meeting. Both parties agreed on the need for easy access to the Covid-19 vaccine, regardless of socioeconomic status. Both also discussed techniques to create such availability in the nations of Maldives and Belgium.

Gender equality, another issue rampant across the globe, was also present under this exchange. When Shahid addressed COP26, he highlighted that world leaders should take special pains and interest towards women and youth. This is to ensure that women and youth are more actively involved in climate action to go forward.

Thus, he expressed the need for womens’ contributions to society, and to achieve those needs is necessary to promote gender equality.