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Maldives host Asia Region Commonwealth Day Celebrations

18 March 2008

Commonwealth Day is a celebration of unity and an opportunity to reflect on achievements

The Commonwealth Day Celebrations in the Asia region got off to a rousing and colourful start in Male’, capital of the Maldives on Monday 10 March. The day began with a seminar on the theme of this year’s Commonwealth Day “The Environment – Our Future”. Ms Aneesa Ahmed, Minister of the President’s Office was the chief guest and Mr. Mohamed Waheed Deen, Minister of Youth and Sports, Government of Maldives, was the guest of honour.

The function began with a recitation from the noble Qur’an after which Mr. Raj Mishra, Regional Director, CYP Asia Centre read out the message from Her Majesty, The Queen. Mr. Mishra also referred to the message from the Commonwealth Secretary-General which was circulated among the dignitaries and participants. He thanked the Government of Maldives for hosting the event and for their warm hospitality.

“We are heartened by the great importance that the Commonwealth continues to attach to the protection and preservation of the environment,” said His Excellency Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, President of the Republic of Maldives in a message on the occasion read out by the Minister of Youth and Sports. Referring to the recently held Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kampala, the President underlined climate change as the biggest challenge facing the world, specially the small island developing states. Stressing environmental protection, preservation and security as part of an individual’s basic human rights, the President of the Maldives lauded the leadership role that the Commonwealth has been playing in this regard.

Mr. Ahmed Mahloof, Asia Region Youth Caucus Chair in his remarks expressed his deep gratitude to the CYP “for the high importance that it continues to attach to empower the youth population of the Maldives”. Stating that this year’s Commonwealth Day theme could not have been more appropriate for his country, Mr. Mahloof urged the youth to attach the utmost priority to the protection and the preservation of the environment. “Commonwealth Day is a celebration of unity and an opportunity to reflect on achievements. It is also an occasion to reaffirm our resolve to face up to the many global challenges facing us, both as individuals and as collective entity”, he concluded.

In his key note address, the Minister of Youth and Sports lauded the various initiatives of the CYP and expressed his gratitude for the support it has extended to his Ministry. One of the many challenges facing nations today is, “Government not listening to the voice of its youth”, the Minister added and went on to highlight the recent policy initiatives of his government towards greater participation of young people in the processes of local level planning and development. Following the recommendation made by the CYP Asia Centre, the Minister announced the hosting of an annual national youth festival in the Maldives beginning from next year. He also gave a commitment to promote greater exchange of youth between Maldives and other Commonwealth Asia countries in the region.

The Minister of the President’s Office and the chief guest in her speech expressed her gratitude to the Commonwealth and the CYP in particular for the many collaborative initiatives launched in their country towards empowerment of young people. She noted with pleasure the fact that Mr. Ahmed Mahloof from the Maldives was currently the Youth Caucus Chair from the Commonwealth Asia region. Underscoring the relevance of this year’s Commonwealth Day theme, she found it a happy coincidence that the day was being celebrated in the Maldives which is faced with a grave crisis emanating from global warming and climate change. “I note with gratitude that the Commonwealth has long been a good friend and trusted ally in the Government of Maldives’ climate diplomacy campaign”, the Minister added.

The inaugural function was marked by a colourful cultural show presented by the host country and an aesthetic display of the arts, crafts and culinary delights from the seven participating countries. The highlights of the second day of the celebrations were an elocution competition among the youth delegates and a dazzling cultural pageant. A total of over 150 young people including 40 from the other six countries of the region participated in various events to mark the celebrations.