President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has called for greater accountability within the United Nations, warning that the selective application of international law and growing geopolitical divisions are undermining trust in the global institution.
In a message issued on Saturday to mark the 81st anniversary of the United Nations, President Muizzu stressed that the organisation must remain a credible international body that upholds the rights of all nations, regardless of their size or political influence.
The President said the effectiveness of the UN depends on mutual trust among its member states, which can only be maintained through consistent respect for international law, adherence to established international norms and the fulfilment of obligations under international agreements.
He expressed concern that increasing geopolitical tensions and inconsistencies in the enforcement of international law were weakening confidence in the international system.
According to the President, these challenges have made it increasingly difficult for countries to respond to rapidly changing global circumstances, particularly when international rules are not applied equally.
His remarks come as the United Nations faces continued scrutiny over its ability to respond effectively to international conflicts, humanitarian emergencies and disputes involving powerful member states.
Established on October 24, 1945, following the Second World War, the United Nations was founded to maintain international peace and security, promote cooperation among nations and protect fundamental human rights.
The organisation currently comprises 193 member states, including the Maldives, which joined the UN on September 21, 1965, shortly after gaining independence.
United Nations Day is observed annually on October 24 to commemorate the entry into force of the UN Charter, the founding document that establishes the principles and responsibilities of the organisation.
This year’s observance marks 81 years since the organisation’s establishment.
In his message, President Muizzu highlighted the human consequences of international divisions, drawing particular attention to the suffering of the Palestinian people.
He said failures to uphold international principles consistently had contributed to severe and lasting humanitarian consequences, particularly in Palestine.
The Maldives has consistently advocated for the rights of Palestinians, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent, sovereign state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The President’s remarks reflect the Maldives’ longstanding diplomatic position that international institutions must apply established legal principles fairly and protect the rights of vulnerable populations.
Beyond international conflicts, President Muizzu also addressed the economic and developmental challenges facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
He identified unequal access to international financing, limited availability of technological resources and mounting debt burdens as significant obstacles to sustainable development.
Small island nations such as the Maldives face particular vulnerabilities because of their geographical characteristics, limited economic diversification and exposure to external shocks.
Climate change, rising sea levels and extreme weather events also pose substantial long-term challenges, increasing the importance of international cooperation and access to development financing.
President Muizzu stressed that countries must have equitable opportunities to secure the resources necessary to achieve their development ambitions.
For the Maldives, he linked this principle to the government’s national objective of attaining developed-country status by 2040.
The President said achieving that ambition would require continued investment in human development, efforts to strengthen the national economy and greater resilience against external challenges.
He also emphasised the importance of preserving the country’s independence in determining its own development priorities and future direction.
The Maldives’ 2040 development ambition forms part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen economic capacity, improve public services and expand opportunities for future generations.
However, the President indicated that progress towards such goals also depends on an international environment in which smaller countries can access necessary resources without facing disproportionate disadvantages.
He called for the United Nations to remain an institution where every member state is heard and where the rights and sovereignty of all countries are respected.
The President stressed that no nation’s future should be determined by the political or economic influence of another country, underscoring the importance of sovereign equality within the international system.
The principle of sovereign equality is a central element of the UN Charter, which recognises the equal legal standing of member states despite differences in population, territory or economic strength.
For the Maldives, which has consistently advocated for the interests of small island nations in international forums, the principle remains particularly important.
Concluding his message, President Muizzu reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to working with the international community to promote peace, strengthen justice and uphold the right of every nation to determine its own future.
He reiterated that a credible and accountable United Nations must remain guided by international law and ensure that the voices and interests of all member states are respected.
