State Minister Opens New Maldives Mission in Geneva

2 March 2011, Geneva;The State Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Mr Ahmed Naseem, today officially opened the new offices of the Permanent Mission of the Maldives to the UN in Geneva and to the WTO. The new offices, which are situated next to the Palais des Nations (UN) are part of a new Commonwealth facility for Small States.

The Maldives Permanent Mission's previous premises were opened in 2006. The new office is larger, more spacious and boasts better facilities and equipment. This is crucial considering that the mandate of the Mission has increased considerably over recent years - especially since the Maldives became a member of the Human Rights Council. However, at the same time, the new offices cost less - important during a time of Government austerity. The Maldives Government has also negotiated with the Swiss Government an agreement to subsidise the running costs of the Mission.

Aside from this positive cost-benefit analysis, the Maldives also took the decision to move into the new premises in order to support Commonwealth efforts to enhance the accessibility of the UN in Geneva to more of the world's Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Many SIDS cannot afford a stand-alone office in Geneva - the most active centre of multilateral diplomacy in the world.

Attending the official opening alongside the State Minister and the Maldives' Permanent Representative in Geneva, HE Ms Iruthisham Adam, were H.E. Mr Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Ambassadors of Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

State Minister Naseem used his short speech to welcome the strengthening of the Commonwealth's presence in Geneva, especially in the field of human rights. He said that the Maldives hopes the new facility will allow more and more SIDS to open a presence in Geneva. He also expressed his hope that SIDS voice will be strengthened in the Human Rights Council and WTO and provides the opportunity for these small states to work closely together and create an influential grouping.

In his word of thanks, the Commonwealth SG said: "The Commonwealth understands the need to recognise opportunities to evolve the partnerships between member States in the 21st century. Innovative technologies, fresh ideas and cross-cutting partnerships are vital to this evolution. The opening of this office is an exciting opportunity to show that small Commonwealth States can flourish and develop together ensuring that States, such as Maldives, do not get marginalised in the international system."