The Maldives has renewed its call for the recognition of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine and for Palestine to be granted full membership of the United Nations, reaffirming the country’s longstanding position in support of Palestinian self-determination and statehood.
Addressing the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef said the right to a sovereign future must be upheld for every nation and every people, regardless of the size, influence or political standing of a state. He said this right continues to be denied most severely to the Palestinian people.
The Vice President highlighted the continuing situation in Gaza and the wider region, stating that Israel’s actions had extended beyond Palestine and affected the sovereignty and security of other states. He called for an end to the conflict and stressed the importance of protecting the fundamental principles on which the international system was established.
He emphasised that international law must be applied consistently and equally, without distinction based on a country’s power, influence or political alliances. The credibility of the international system, he indicated, depends on ensuring that the same legal principles and obligations apply to all states.
The Vice President called for an end to what he described as Israel’s genocide in Gaza, as well as the occupation of Palestine and other Arab lands and the continued expansion of settlements considered illegal under international law. He also stressed that civilians affected by the conflict must be able to receive essential humanitarian assistance safely, rapidly and at the scale required to address their needs.
He further called for decisions of international courts and resolutions adopted through the United Nations system to be respected and implemented, highlighting the importance of international institutions in ensuring accountability, protecting civilians and maintaining confidence in the rules-based multilateral system.
For the Palestinian people, the Vice President said a sovereign future means freedom, dignity and self-determination, alongside the right to live securely and independently in their own state. He reiterated the Maldives’ support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The Maldives has consistently advocated internationally for Palestinian statehood and has repeatedly raised the issue across major multilateral platforms. The country has maintained that a lasting resolution to the Palestinian question must recognise the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people while being founded on international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
Vice President Latheef also linked the Palestinian question to the wider challenge of rebuilding confidence in the United Nations and the international system. He said that if the UN is to restore trust and demonstrate that it can deliver fairly for all nations and peoples, Palestine must be admitted as a full member of the organisation.
Palestine currently participates at the United Nations as a non-member observer state. The issue of full UN membership has remained a major diplomatic priority for Palestine and its supporters, including the Maldives. During the 81st Session, the Maldives was also among the countries supporting a General Assembly resolution facilitating Palestine’s participation in the session, which was adopted with 152 votes in favour.
The Vice President underscored that the principle of sovereignty cannot be reserved for larger or more powerful nations, stressing that every state must be entitled to determine its future and enjoy its rights on an equal basis. His address placed the Palestinian cause within the Maldives’ broader advocacy for equality among nations, respect for international law and a multilateral system capable of protecting the rights of all states and peoples.
Through its statements at the United Nations, the Maldives continues to present Palestinian statehood, humanitarian protection and adherence to international law as central issues requiring sustained international attention. The latest appeal at the General Assembly reinforces the country’s established diplomatic position in support of an independent Palestine and its call for Palestine to assume full membership within the United Nations.
advertisment
advertisment
