President asked to deliver his UN address in Dhivehi

Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has been asked to deliver his address to the UN General Assembly in Dhivehi language in a nod towards Maldivian individuality.

The request was made by the head of the national agency for linguistics, Dhivehi Bahuge Academy, Ashraf Ali.

Ashraf argues it is only befitting that the concern of the Maldivian people is voiced in the language of its people.

He said that delivering the address in Dhivehi language will elevate national honor and prestige.

“Raise the voice of the Maldivian people, for the Maldivian people, in the language of the Maldivian people,” tweeted Ashraf.

Government sources report President Solih is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly which will be held in the UN headquarters in New York from September 17 to 30.

It will make him the first Maldivian leader to address the UN General Assembly in six years.

The only Maldivian leader to have ever addressed the UN General Assembly in Dhivehi language was former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

According to a senior government official, President Solih, in his address to the UN General Assembly, will highlight on the changes to the political landscape of Maldives, human rights protection, environmental protection and climate change.

Though government sources report President Solih is scheduled to address the upcoming UN General Assembly, the decision is yet to be announced via an official government channel.

The annual UN General Assembly is a global platform for leaders of member countries to discuss a wide array of domestic, regional and global issues.

President Solih has pledged to put an end to years of isolation by Maldives in the global arena. He has pledged to restore and reinforce ties with bilateral partners and to garner respect for Maldives in the global arena.