News

Chinese FM meets with UN chief

Published

2 years ago

25/09/2022

MNN

China will stand firmly with the UN, unswervingly support the UN’s central role in international affairs, and support the UN in playing a bigger role in addressing challenges confronting peace and security, Wang said.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres here Friday on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.

Secretary-General Guterres has called for strengthening international cooperation as the world today is full of changes and chaos, which the Chinese side deeply appreciates, said Wang.

China has always been advocating that major countries, especially permanent members of the UN Security Council, should take the lead in complying with the international law, in maintaining the authority of the UN, in practicing true multilateralism and in helping developing countries, he said, adding it is regrettable that certain major country, for its self-interest, practices unilateralism in the name of multilateralism, and creates small circles or cliques everywhere under the pretext of maintaining so-called rules.

Guterres expressed appreciation for the key role China has been playing for a long time in upholding multilateralism, promoting international cooperation and sustainable development, saying the partnership with China is an important pillar for the UN and multilateralism.

He said that the two sides have been carrying out close and effective cooperation, and that the UN supports the Global Development Initiative (GDI).

He congratulated China for successfully organizing the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of the GDI recently, which he believed would help accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Guterres briefed Wang about the recent efforts to promote Ukrainian grain shipments and Russia’s fertilizer exports, and expressed deep concern about the difficulties facing developing countries due to spillover from the Ukrainian crisis.

Guterres said that the UN takes development as a priority and hopes to strengthen cooperation with China on issues bearing the interest of developing countries, such as financing, climate change responses, biodiversity, and anti-pandemic measures.

Wang said that China appreciates the Secretary-General’s active mediation and tangible results, adding that China’s core position on the Ukrainian issue is to promote peace talks and stand on the side of peace. He stressed that China will continue to play a constructive role in its own way.

Wang emphasized that Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed the GDI and Global Security Initiative, which has contributed a China plan to boosting international development cooperation and helping implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and has provided public goods to mitigate peace and security deficit and jointly cope with the current severe challenges.

Wang said that China is willing to work closely with the UN to form greater consensus, gather more forces and facilitate more actions, adding that China will continue to support the various causes of the UN and assume its due responsibilities.

On the same day, Wang also met with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Ali Sabry respectively.

Source: Xinhua

News

Uthuru Thila Falhu to reduce imports, ensure food security: Minister Saeed

Published

7 hours ago

24/04/2024

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has emphasised the government’s endeavor to enhance food security through the Uthuru Thila Falhu project, aiming to curtail imports.

In an interview with a private media outlet, Minister Saeed underscored the significance of locally sourced products in ensuring food security for citizens. He also highlighted plans for island-level production.

Additionally, Minister Saeed outlined a upcoming initiative set to launch in Uthuru Thila Falhu, focusing on bolstering food security by cultivating ample fruits, vegetables, and seafood to cater to both resorts and residential areas across the nation. He said that the project aligns with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s vision for the country, aiming to transform Uthuru Thila Falhu into a pivotal food hub.

Furthermore, Minister Saeed disclosed that the Maldives Industrial Development Free Zone has entrusted the China Harbour Engineering Company with reclaiming land and establishing an agricultural zone in Uthuru Thila Falhu. The project includes the creation of a specialized agricultural zone serving as a pivotal distribution center for agricultural products and inputs.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Six independent MP-elects sign with PNC

Published

7 hours ago

24/04/2024

Six independent candidates who were elected to the Parliament in the recent elections have signed with the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).

In the parliamentary elections held on Sunday, PNC had endorsed several independent candidates over those contesting on the party’s ticket.

A spokesperson from the PNC confirmed on Wednesday that six independent candidates have signed with the party.

All six joined PNC on Tuesday.

They are:

Dr. Anara Naeem: Huraa constituency
Hassan Zareer: Mathiveri constituency
Ahmed Zameer: Central Machangolhi constituency
Ahmed Riyaz: Thimarafushi constituency
Yaseen Abdulla: Naifaru constituency
Azim Abdul Azeez: Vilingili constituency

The PNC had secured a landslide victory in Sunday’s elections; winning 66 out of 93 seats. With the six MP-elects who signed on Tuesday, the ruling party will have 72 seats in the next parliamentary assembly.

This does not take into account the candidates from other parties backed by the government; Maldives National Party (MNP)’s leader Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim, Maldives Development Alliance (MDA)’s leader Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, and Mohamed Abbas – a political from MDA who won the Velidhoo seat.

The MP-elects who signed with PNC on Tuesday includes former party members who lost the PNC primaries held in January. They later ran in the elections as independent candidates, with the government backing their candidacy over that of the ruling party’s own candidates.

This includes Zameer and Ahmed Riyaz. Their rival PNC candidates had later dropped out of the race and backed their candidacy.

Meanwhile, Hassan Zareer, the incumbent Mathiveri MP, had won the 2019 elections on a ticket from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). But he, along with 13 other lawmakers from MDP, defected to PNC after MDP’s Ibrahim Mohamed Solih lost re-election.

In this year’s polls, Zareer ran for re-election as an independent candidate, but with the government’s backing.

The move by the six independent MP-elects to join PNC comes after the MDP-majority Parliament passed an anti-defection bill on April 1.

The bill, which stipulates that parliamentarians will lose their seat for floor crossing, was signed into law by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu last week.

Meanwhile, a separate bill to include anti-defection provisions in the constitution is in the works in the Parliament.

The 20th parliamentary assembly will be sworn in on May 28.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Abdul Raheem express confidence in retaining majority of Parliament

Published

16 hours ago

24/04/2024

Special Advisor to the President Abdul Raheem Abdulla has expressed confidence that the newly elected Parliament will be retained. The remarks were made during a programme aired on PSM News.

The ruling party, People’s National Congress (PNC) secured the super majority of the Parliament, following the parliamentary elections held on April 21. Abdul Raheem stated that the majority retained is close to 80 members, including 66 PNC candidates elected, who were endorsed by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. He affirmed that the new Parliament would strive to amend laws and regulations such that residents attain the maximum benefit, unlike previous Parliaments.

Abdul Raheem claimed to be aware of the reasons behind the incapacity of previous Parliaments of being retained, and revealed that he knew the stories behind the resignation of 12 parliamentarians during the tenure of Former President Yameen Abdul Gayoom. Hence, he claimed to be aware of the necessary initiatives and preparations to maintain the majority of the newly elected Parliament.

Additionally, Abdul Raheem disclosed that certain candidates who were elected had previously held senior parliamentarian positions. Therefore, he ensured that the majority elected by the residents will be retained, unlike previous Parliaments.

Source(s): PsmNews