Shahid highlights Maldives’ global role and calls for leadership rooted in hope and practical action

Former Foreign Minister and President of the 76th United Nations General Assembly Abdulla Shahid has said that leadership must be built on hope and strengthened through practical, results‑driven action.

Speaking for the opening of the 14th Asia World Model United Nations on Sunday, Shahid recalled that his “Presidency of Hope” was carried out during some of the most difficult years the world has faced in recent history, including the COVID‑19 pandemic and the outbreak of the Russia‑Ukraine war.

Shahid warned that global uncertainty continues to deepen, noting that “from climate change to rising conflict, our world stands at a defining crossroads.” He said the tide is shifting “both literally and metaphorically,” with dangers increasing for vulnerable nations.

Despite these challenges, Shahid urged young people not to lose hope. “Humanity has the capacity to innovate, to unite, and to build a better future,” he said, calling on future leaders to choose diplomacy over division and cooperation over conflict.

From climate change to rising conflict, our world stands at a defining crossroads.

As I told the delegates of the 14th Asia World Model United Nations today, we must not lose hope. Humanity has the capacity to innovate, to unite, and to build a better future.

Events like #AWMUN… pic.twitter.com/Bpvb6aY9c7

— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) May 16, 2026

“For us, climate change is not just a distant theory debated in conference halls. It is a reality we are suffering from,” he said, describing the Maldives as a symbol of resilience, sustainable development, and global interconnectedness.

Shahid also highlighted the role of tourism in shaping the Maldives’ identity, calling it the bridge that connects the country to the world.

Addressing the delegates, he said: “You are not only the future, you are also the present. You are the designers who shape the world in which you live.”

Shahid said events like the Asia World Model United Nations serve as incubators of ideas, leadership, and people‑to‑people connections that will shape the shared future of the region and the world.