31 August 2011 :- The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives H. E. Mr. Aslam Mohamed Shakir arrived in New York City on 31 August 2011.State Minister Shakir will be in New York City until end of committee work of the United Nations General Assembly. During his stay he will focus on three key initiatives.
First, State Minister Shakir will attend the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Segment.The High-Level Segment typically draws a number of Heads of State, Ministers Senior Officials, Heads of Agencies and representatives of civil society groups. This year the High Level Segment will include a meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, a meeting on the theme "Addressing desertification, land degradation and drought in the context of sustainable development and poverty", and a meeting to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
During his time in New York City, the Minister will also closely observe the work of the Permanent Mission of Republic of Maldives to United Nations. Minister Shakir will ensure that Maldives is well represented and engaged at the United Nations on important issues including, democracy, good governance, human rights, sustainable development, climate change disarmament and other pressing issues for the Maldives, includingother SIDS and international legal matters.
Further, Minister Shakir will also be holding a number of bilateral meetings with other States in an effort to better share Maldivian views on international issues, especially on issues that are important to Small Island Developing States
Minister Shakir's presence in New York will also help focus the work of the Permanent Mission of Maldives to the United Nations in further strengthening its efforts to become more engaged and effective in the execution of the Mission's mandate as well as the broader foreign service.
ENDS