International Day of Women in Diplomacy Resolution
On Monday, June 20, 2022, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution entitled “International Day of Women in Diplomacy”. The Maldives along with the core group of countries comprising El Salvador, Eritrea, Grenada, Guyana, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malta, Qatar, Saint Lucia, and South Africa spearheaded this resolution to establish an International Day of Women in Diplomacy on June 24th every year.
The resolution was introduced at the General Assembly by Her Excellency Ms. Thilmeeza Hussain, Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations. During her statement, she highlighted the newly established day as an annual opportunity to reflect on the challenges faced by women diplomats and actions that can be undertaken to achieve the goal of women’s full, equal, effective and meaningful participation in diplomacy. She thanked H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, for making gender equality one of his priorities and for championing the issue as the President of the General Assembly and as the Foreign Minister of Maldives.
After the adoption of the resolution, H.E Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the General Assembly thanked the Member States who brought the resolution to fruition. “Now we have a day specifically devoted to celebrating women in diplomacy: who have blazed trails; negotiated peace; strengthened international relations; survived hardships and danger; and have facilitated intercultural linkages” he said.
Following remarks from the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Ms. Amina Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations applauded the leadership of Maldives and the core group of countries in tabling the resolution with broad cross regional support.
The “International Day of Women in Diplomacy” resolution garnered historic support at the United Nations General Assembly and was co-sponsored by 191 Member States, of which 85 Member States were main sponsors of the text.