The Maldives has reaffirmed its continued support for the Palestinian people by pledging an annual contribution of USD 50,000 to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The pledge was announced during the UNRWA Pledging Conference held on 1 July 2026 at the United Nations Headquarters, where the Maldives was represented by its Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr Ali Naseer Mohamed. The announcement reflects the Maldives’ consistent commitment to international humanitarian cooperation and its longstanding solidarity with Palestine at a time when sustained global support remains crucial.
Delivering the Maldives’ statement at the conference, Dr Ali Naseer Mohamed emphasized that support for UNRWA should be viewed as far more than a financial allocation. He stated that such assistance represents an investment in preserving the dignity of a people and in protecting the international rules-based order. He also highlighted the serious challenges facing the agency’s operations and referred to the false accusations directed at UNRWA, while calling on the international community to ensure predictable and sustained funding so the agency can continue carrying out its vital mandate in support of Palestinian refugees.
The Maldives further used the occasion to reiterate its firm solidarity with the Palestinian people, underscoring the importance of collective international responsibility in addressing humanitarian needs and safeguarding the rights and welfare of vulnerable communities. The country’s message at the conference reflected a principled position that humanitarian support must remain steady, credible and protected from political uncertainty, particularly for institutions that provide essential services to displaced populations.
This year’s pledge also continues the Maldives’ strengthened level of support to UNRWA in recent years. In 2024, the Maldives similarly pledged USD 50,000 to the agency, representing a substantial increase from its earlier contribution level of USD 5,000. By maintaining this enhanced annual commitment, the Maldives has demonstrated its intention to remain an active and responsible voice in international humanitarian efforts concerning Palestine. The renewed pledge also sends a clear message of continuity in the country’s foreign policy engagement on issues of justice, humanitarian protection and support for multilateral institutions serving communities in need.
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