Maldives Urges UN to Grant Palestine Full Membership and Sovereign Statehood

The Maldives has formally called for the recognition of an independent Palestinian state and its admission as a full member of the United Nations, arguing that such a move is essential for the organization to restore global trust. Addressing the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef emphasized that the right to a sovereign future is being most severely denied to the Palestinian people. He asserted that the principle of sovereignty must apply to every nation, regardless of its size, geopolitical power, or political alliances. Vice President Latheef condemned Israel's actions in Gaza and across the wider region, stating that these operations have violated the sovereignty of multiple states. He specifically called for an immediate end to the occupation of Palestine and other Arab lands, the cessation of illegal settlements, and what he described as the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian intervention, the Vice President urged the international community to ensure that aid reaches Palestinians safely, rapidly, and at a scale sufficient to meet the crisis. He further stressed that the decisions of international courts and UN resolutions must be respected and implemented without exception to maintain the integrity of international law. For the people of Palestine, the Vice President noted that sovereignty represents more than a political status; it signifies freedom, dignity, self-determination, and the fundamental right to live securely within their own borders. Reiterating the Maldives' long-standing diplomatic position, Vice President Latheef called for the recognition of a Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem serving as its capital. He concluded that the UN cannot truly deliver for all member states if it continues to deny Palestine full membership and the right to self-governance.