The Maldives has reinforced its longstanding diplomatic support for the Palestinian people at a high-level meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), with Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam representing the country at the Extraordinary Meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Minister Iruthisham travelled to Saudi Arabia for the meeting, which brought together foreign ministers and senior representatives from OIC member states to address major developments concerning Palestine and the continuing challenges surrounding the implementation of international efforts aimed at securing peace, stability and reconstruction in Gaza. The meeting provided an important platform for Islamic countries to coordinate their positions and consider stronger collective diplomatic action in support of the Palestinian people.
Representing the Government of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Minister Iruthisham reaffirmed that the Maldives would continue to be an active and consistent advocate for Palestinian rights at regional and international forums. The Government has maintained a clear foreign policy position in support of justice for the Palestinian people, international law and the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state.
Addressing the OIC meeting, Minister Iruthisham strongly condemned Israel’s continued settlement expansion and annexation of Palestinian land, while expressing concern over what the Maldives described as insufficient meaningful international action to ensure accountability for violations of international law. She called on OIC member states to strengthen their collective response and pursue tangible measures capable of delivering meaningful improvements to the lives of Palestinians.
The Maldives also called for concrete progress in implementing the international framework for ending the Gaza conflict, including the roadmap connected to the Comprehensive Plan endorsed through the United Nations Security Council process. The framework is intended to advance the ceasefire process, facilitate humanitarian assistance, support reconstruction and establish the conditions necessary for longer-term peace and stability in Gaza. The Maldivian position emphasised the importance of translating international resolutions and diplomatic commitments into effective action on the ground.
Ahead of the meeting, Minister Iruthisham had made clear that the Maldivian delegation intended to strongly condemn attacks against Palestinians and encourage OIC member countries to press for implementation of the Gaza peace roadmap. The Maldives has stressed that international initiatives cannot achieve their intended objectives without the cooperation of all parties and sustained engagement from the wider international community.
Minister Iruthisham further reiterated the Maldives’ unwavering support for the Palestinian people in their pursuit of justice, dignity and their legitimate national rights. She reaffirmed the country’s support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, a position consistently advanced by the Maldives across the United Nations, the OIC and other international platforms.
The participation also marked Minister Iruthisham’s first engagement with the OIC since assuming office as Minister of Foreign Affairs, providing an important opportunity to further strengthen the Maldives’ diplomatic engagement with Islamic countries. Her participation demonstrated the Government’s continued emphasis on maintaining an active international presence and ensuring that the Maldives contributes constructively to discussions on major issues affecting the Islamic world.
Beyond the Palestinian issue, the extraordinary meeting also addressed important institutional matters concerning the future leadership of the OIC. Member states elected Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed as the new Secretary-General of the organisation, succeeding Hissein Brahim Taha. The leadership transition comes as the OIC continues efforts to strengthen cooperation among its 57 member states and enhance coordinated responses to political, humanitarian and development challenges affecting the Islamic world.
Minister Iruthisham also held discussions with foreign ministers and representatives of OIC member states on the sidelines of the meeting. The engagements provided further opportunities to strengthen the Maldives’ bilateral relations with partner Arab and Islamic countries, exchange views on areas of mutual interest and reinforce cooperation within the OIC framework.
The Maldives has been an active member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation since joining in 1976 and has consistently used the organisation as an important multilateral platform for advancing issues of common concern to the Islamic world. Palestine has remained a central element of the Maldives’ foreign policy, with successive Maldivian governments supporting the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood.
Under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s administration, the Government has continued to maintain a prominent international voice in support of Palestine while strengthening diplomatic ties with countries across the Islamic world. The Maldives’ participation in the Jeddah meeting further reflects its commitment to principled diplomacy, international cooperation and coordinated engagement through the OIC to advance peace, justice and stability for the Palestinian people and the wider region.
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