4 March 2014, Geneva; Her Excellency Ms Dunya Maumoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives today called on His Excellency Mr Iyad Ameen Madani, Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the High Level Segment of the twenty-fifth session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The Minister and the Secretary General agreed to strengthen the existing close bonds of cooperation between the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Republic of Maldives. The Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated the Government's unwavering commitment to the principles of the organisation and to work with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on issues of mutual interest, including that of strengthening human rights throughout the Islamic world. The Minister also briefed the Secretary General on the priorities of the current government, especially the emphasis on economic development. In this regard, the Minister expressed the interest of the Government to work with the OIC for poverty eradication throughout the Islamic world.
The Secretary General noted the important role Maldives plays at the United Nations Human Rights Council, especially with regard to gender empowerment. He hoped that the cooperation between the Maldives and the OIC would continue to strengthen in the coming years.
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