19thMay 2011, Geneva; Following a four year campaign by the Maldives, the Commonwealth this week opened a purpose-built diplomatic facility in Geneva to house Small Island State delegations to the United Nations. The aim of the facility is to provide a cost-efficient option for Small States to maintain a presence in Geneva, the seat of many UN bodies; as well as to encourage closer cooperation between Small Island States which make up around one third of the total UN Membership.
The Commonwealth facility was opened by the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, H.E. Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, and the Director-General of the UN in Geneva, H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jonart Tokayev, in the presence of around 50 ambassadors and other dignatories from Commonwealth States. The Maldives was represented at the opening by the Minister of Health, H.E. Dr. Aminath Jameel, and the Maldives' Ambassador in Geneva, H.E. Ms. Iruthisham Adam.
The Maldives was the first State to move into the new facility, and has since been followed by Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Pacific Island Forum, Samoa, and Bahamas.
Speaking after the event, Ambassador Adam said "The new Maldives Mission in the Commonwealth facility represents a win-win for the Maldives: a larger and better equiped offce for less cost; and a chance to work more closely with our fellow Small Island States at the UN. The Foreign Ministry has worked closely with the Commonwealth on this project for four years, lobbying other Commonwealth States, especially donors, at various Head of State and Ministerial meetings. Today therefore represents an important achievement for the Maldives Government and for the Commonwealth."
ENDS.