Ref: 2025/PR/79
The 58th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council concluded in Geneva today. During the session, the Council adopted 32 resolutions and appointed three Special Procedures Mandate Holders.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdulla Khaleel, participated in the High-Level Segment of the Session, delivering the Maldives national statement on 24 February 2025. In his statement, he highlighted the progress made by the Government of Maldives in the promotion and protection of human rights. Minister Khaleel also participated and delivered remarks at two High-level panel discussions and conducted bilateral meetings with several counterparts. Notably, he delivered the keynote address at the High-level side event organised by the Permanent Mission of Maldives in Geneva, in collaboration with other members of the Core Group on the Right to a Healthy Environment, entitled ‘Advancing the Universal Human Right to a Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment: Taking Stock and What Next?’
The Maldives delegation delivered national statements on an array of thematic areas and co-sponsored 18 resolutions, aligning with key government priorities. The Maldives also co-sponsored resolutions on Human rights, Democracy and Rule of Law, Neurotechnology and Human Rights, Right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and Renewal of the Mandate for the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, among others..
On behalf of the Core Group on the Right to a Healthy Environment, the Maldives as the penholder, presented a resolution on the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment, with a particular focus on the Ocean and Human Rights. Additionally, the Maldives as part of the Core Group on Women in Diplomacy introduced a resolution on “Women, Diplomacy and Human Rights” during this session. Both resolutions were adopted by consensus, garnering wide cross regional co-sponsorship and support at the time of adoption.
In addition, the Maldives co-sponsored 47 joint statements including those by the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Representing the group of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the Maldives delivered joint statements on food security and the need for enhanced technical and financial assistance for capacity building to empower SIDS participation in the Council’s work. Furthermore, the Maldives reaffirmed its strong commitment to the Palestine cause, by co-sponsoring joint statements focusing on Palestine and voting in favour of four resolutions concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The Maldives delegation for the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council was led by Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations Office at Geneva Dr. Salma Rasheed., . The delegation included Counsellor Mr. Adam Hamid, Counsellor Uza. Aminath Shifaya Ibrahim, Second Secretary Ms. Aishath Rayahyn, Third Secretary Ms. Fathin Shoora Haleem, and Attaché Mr. Raaidh Saeedh from the Permanent Mission.
ENDS.