The Maldives is seeking to strengthen its role within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and establish itself as a proactive member capable of contributing meaningfully to the organisation’s priorities, Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam has said.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with PSM News ahead of her departure for Iraq to attend the 52nd Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, Minister Iruthisham said the Maldives intends to play a more active and leading role within the 57-member organisation, while advancing issues of importance to the Islamic world and strengthening cooperation with fellow member states.
The Foreign Minister has since arrived in Iraq for the ministerial meeting, where she was welcomed at the airport by Iraq’s Deputy Minister for Political Planning, Dr Ahmed Aldulaimy.
Minister Iruthisham identified the recognition of Palestine as an independent and sovereign state as one of the principal priorities of the session. She said discussions would focus on securing stronger and more unified expressions of support from Islamic countries for the rights of the Palestinian people and encouraging OIC member states to work collectively towards their protection.
She said the meeting is expected to underline the importance of developing stronger and more effective collective action to support Palestinians, with member countries being encouraged to strengthen coordination and translate political support into meaningful international engagement.
The Maldives has maintained a consistent position in support of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights, including through its engagement at major international forums. Minister Iruthisham noted that the country has continuously advocated for Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Human Rights Council.
She reaffirmed that the Government of Maldives would continue supporting constructive international resolutions that advance Palestinian rights, justice and lasting peace, reflecting the country’s longstanding foreign policy position and its broader commitment to issues affecting the Islamic community.
The OIC Council of Foreign Ministers is also expected to examine the wider consequences of ongoing conflicts and instability across the world, including their impact on member states. For the Maldives, discussions are expected to be particularly relevant in areas such as food security, access to essential commodities, transportation disruptions and wider economic pressures arising from international conflicts.
As a geographically dispersed island nation heavily connected to international supply chains and global transportation networks, the Maldives remains exposed to external economic and logistical disruptions. Engagement through multilateral platforms such as the OIC provides the country with an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation, raise issues affecting small states and contribute to coordinated responses to emerging global challenges.
The current session also carries added significance as the Maldives marks 50 years of membership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The country joined the OIC in 1976 and has since maintained active participation in the organisation’s diplomatic, political and development-related initiatives.
Minister Iruthisham said she intends to use the gathering to further strengthen bilateral relations with Iraq, including engagement with the Iraqi Foreign Minister, while also holding discussions with foreign ministers and senior representatives from other OIC member countries.
The Foreign Minister reiterated that the Maldives is seeking to position itself as an increasingly active, constructive and results-oriented member of the OIC, capable of contributing leadership, strengthening partnerships and supporting tangible progress on issues of shared importance to the Islamic world.
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