MOHAMED MUIZZU, President of the Maldives, said:  “Humanity is in crisis, and in many cases its man-made.  But we look the other way, continuing with business as usual.”  “We need nations united in harmony not a United Nations in misery,” he urged, adding that these are important years for his country, which in 2040, will celebrate 75 years as a sovereign nation.  Looking ahead to that milestone, he presented his vision for his country as a fully-fledged developed nation by 2040.  Becoming a developed nation may seem like a daunting task, but “prevailing and even flourishing against formidable odds, is nothing new for Maldivians”, he said, recounting that in 1965, when Maldives regained its independence, it was among the poorest countries in the world.  One‑third of its population was illiterate.  More than one out of every 10 babies were dying before their first birthday.  It had no industries, barely any exports and fewer prospects, he said, proudly noting that in just five decades, the Maldives has reached upper middle-income status.

Detailing his development plan in various sectors for the Maldives, he said:  “The result we desire, is inclusive development; where equality of access to opportunities is guaranteed; where women and young people are key players in our development — not mere spectators; and where every Maldivian citizen has adequate housing,” he said.  To support these objectives, his Government has launched a $6.5 million loan facility, specifically for women entrepreneurs — of which 25 per cent is allocated to those with disabilities.  He has also recently launched a Presidential Youth Advisory Board, which will advise and inform him directly on the needs and views of young people.  Outlining plans for the tourism sector, which drives the Maldivian economy and is also highly vulnerable to external shocks, he called for support from the international system to anticipate and address these threats, such as armed conflict, terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organized crimes, climate change and ocean degradation.

Recalling world leaders’ commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 and, just this week, to the Pact for the Future, he lamented:  “We can’t keep meeting, talking, pledging but not doing.”  Stressing that “the best approach to protecting fundamental rights is to cultivate a culture of respect for those rights,” he said the Maldives has a good track record of treaty ratification, implementation and reporting, and champions the right to environment.  He underscored that “violation of a right by any country — large or small, rich or poor, with powerful friends or not — must not be tolerated”.  Pointing to “the ongoing massacre — the genocide — by Israel in Gaza” as well as the Israeli raids in Lebanon, he said Israel must be held accountable for these acts of terrorism, for these violations of international law and UN resolutions.  We must accept a sovereign and independent Palestinian State on the pre‑1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, he said, urging support for Palestine as a full member of the United Nations.

Turning to his country’s planned economic transformation, he urged multilateral development funds, banks and bilateral donors, to view his country as partners, “not just as recipients of aid; to stop looking at our inherent vulnerabilities as limitations; to adopt tailor-made approaches which are mutually beneficial; to reduce the cost of borrowing; to make the financial system work for us — not penalize us...”.  Stressing that “climate change is the most serious threat to our world,” he called on rich and emitting countries to meet the financial pledges already made — especially on adaptation, where the financing gap continues to widen.  “Small countries like mine need a multilateral system that champions us.  And delivers for us,” he emphasized, urging reform and revitalization of the United Nations, which must be representative.  The Maldives will not watch and stand idle, while the multilateral system fails and is thus seeking to get elected to the Economic and Social Council for the 2027‑2029 term, he said, calling on Member States’ support.  “If elected, the Maldives will strive to make the UN development system more relevant to our times,” he said.