"The Commonwealth is also a place where the voices of Small States are always listened to and answered."
The Commonwealth may have a shared history, but what is even more certain is we have a Common Future, as this year’s theme suggests. And as we celebrate Commonwealth Day, the Maldives looks forward to doing its part in achieving this Common Future, further connecting the Commonwealth and tackling the very real threats we face, such as the global pandemic that has swept over the world and the very real issue of climate change.
The Commonwealth is also a place where the voices of Small States are always listened to and answered. As the world is undergoing seismic shifts due to the double threats of COVID-19 and climate change, the strong bonds of cooperation and friendship that the Commonwealth brings is more essential than ever. The Commonwealth is the voice for Small States like the Maldives calling for sovereign debt relief, access to concessional finance and revisiting the Universal Vulnerability Index
This strength of the Commonwealth is a by-product of the unity among its countries and people. Together, each country of the Commonwealth stands to achieve more than the sum of its parts. This is facilitated by an unshakeable desire to find concrete ways to connect, innovate, and transform our societies so that everyone, particularly women and young people, can reach their full potential and succeed.
Today, on Commonwealth Day, I hope for stronger people-to-people connections across the Commonwealth family. The Commonwealth has created a lasting bond between our people – a strength needed for the 21st Century.