Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel on Sunday urged reforms in the multilateral system to ensure a stronger voice for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including a rotating seat at the United Nations Security Council.
Delivering an intervention at the plenary session focused on Amplifying the Voice of the Global South at the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat, Oman, Khaleel echoed President Mohamed Muizzu’s call for a “reformed multilateral system, which is reflective and representative.” He said developing nations, particularly SIDS, must play a greater role in global decision-making.
He also called for an end to the use of the veto at the Security Council, arguing that it should be “re-oriented to capture the new realities of the world” to make it more relevant and effective.
Khaleel highlighted both the challenges and opportunities stemming from the Maldives’ strategic location in the Indian Ocean, stressing the need for resilience against security threats such as cyberattacks, maritime crime and climate change. He said that a unified approach is crucial to addressing these shared challenges.
He also pushed for stronger South-South cooperation alongside existing bilateral, regional and global efforts.
Khaleel was speaking on a panel alongside Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, Seychelles’ Minister for Internal Affairs Errol Fronseka, Brunei’s Foreign Minister Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh. The session was moderated by former Indian minister Suresh Prabhu.
The Indian Ocean Conference, established in 2016, brings together government officials, private sector leaders and scholars to discuss regional security. This year’s conference, themed “Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership,” runs from 16 to 17 February.