Ref: 2024/PR/335
The Maldives will co-chair the Commonwealth’s Ministerial Meeting on Small States (CMMSS) to be held in 2026. The decision was announced during the ongoing Ministerial Meeting of the Small States ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.
The Maldives will assume the role of co-chair of this meeting along with the host country of CHOGM in 2026. As the co-chair of the CMMSS, the Maldives will focus on continuing the advocacy efforts in support of the interests of the Small States. This leadership role will further Maldives’s efforts in championing the cause of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on the global stage.
During the ongoing meeting of the CMMSS in the margins of CHOGM being held in Apia, Samoa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdulla Khaleel engaged with Foreign Ministers from the Small States of the Commonwealth, on pressing issues facing small states, including economic vulnerability, climate action, and access to finance.
Minister Dr Khaleel emphasized the urgent need for financial reforms to address unique challenges faced by Small States. He urged for stronger commitments on climate finance ahead of the 29th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) and called for enhanced access to finance and debt sustainability solutions. Minister Dr Khaleel further highlighted initiatives such as the SIDS Debt Sustainability Support Service and stressed the importance of economic diversification for long-term resilience of small states.
The Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States is a key gathering held on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, bringing together Foreign Ministers from across the Commonwealth to engage and foster partnerships to promote resilience and sustainable development of small states. This year’s Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting of Small States is co-chaired by Samoa as the host country and Eswatini.
ENDS