Author: Daniel Bosley

Centre for Law and Democracy suggests Maldives failing to protect journalists

The Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD) has accused the Maldives of failing to protect journalists following recent attacks on media and the disappearance of Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan.

In an open letter to President Abdulla Yameen, the Canadian Human Rights NGO described Rilwan’s disappearance 55 days ago as fitting into “a broader pattern of violence and intimidation directed towards the media in the Maldives”.

“CLD calls on the government of the Republic of Maldives to do everything within its power to rescue Mr. Rilwan and to bring the perpetrators of this and other crimes against the media to justice,” wrote CLD Executive Director Toby Mendel.

Rilwan was last seen in the early hours of August 8 travelling home, just minutes before a man was seen being forced into a car outside his apartment.

The release of a private investigation’s findings into the case last week suggested that – among a number of possible lines of inquiry – gang-related abduction was a strong possibility in the case.

Police have since arrested four men in relation to the disappearance, though no specific theories for the disappearance have yet been forthcoming from authorities.

Police Commissioner Hussain Waheed and Attorney General Mohamed Anil were both sent copies of the CLD letter addressed to President Yameen.

Taking note of the “generally deteriorating security situation for journalists in the Maldives”, the letter suggested that the country was failing to live up to its international human rights obligations.

“International human rights law places an obligation on States to create an environment in which the media can do its job effectively,” wrote Mendel.

“This includes, where necessary, providing protection for the physical security of journalists and media outlets and ensuring effective investigations of attacks when they do occur.”

The police investigation has come under scrutiny from numerous domestic and international groups for its lack of progress, while the force itself labelled the recent investigative report  “politically motivated” and “irresponsible”.

President Yameen himself has also come under attack for his failure to comment on the unprecedented case of the 28-year-old’s disappearance, with the political opposition recently urging him to take personal charge of the investigation.

Reporters Without Borders has drawn links between the attack on the offices of Minivan News last week and the release of the report. A machete was left in the door of the offices after a well-known individual – named in the report – was seen tearing down the building’s CCTV.

Minivan News has since relocated its office for security reasons.

“Attacks on the media represent attacks on freedom of expression and indeed democracy itself, since they chill the broader public discourse and hinder the ability of members of the public to obtain accurate information about the country’s affairs.”

Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon last week joined international groups in condemning the attack on Minivan News as well as the threats received by journalists later the same day (September 25).

“Media freedom and freedom expression are fundamental human rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the Maldives and the human rights instruments that the Maldives is party to,” read the foreign ministry statement.

“At the ongoing Human Rights Council Session in Geneva the Maldives co-sponsored the resolution calling for the safety of journalist.”

Both Canada and the EU have since expressed alarm at the current human rights situation in the Maldives.

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Tourism key for community development, says government on World Tourism Day

No additional reporting by missing journalist Ahmed Rilwan

The tourism industry holds the key for youth employment and community development said senior government figures as the Maldives celebrated World Tourism Day.

“I call upon Maldivian youth to enter the tourism sector with renewed courage,” said President Abdulla Yameen, pledging greater opportunities for young people within the sector.

“To this end, to increase income and job opportunities in the north, God willing a further five resorts will be put up for bidding during this year and awarded for development,” he continued.

The industry – which accounts for 25 percent of GDP – continues to grow rapidly based on just over one hundred island resorts currently in operation. Tourist arrivals increased by 11 percent between August 2013 and August 2014, numbering 806,000.

Attempts at community based tourism have expanded rapidly in recent years, with the number of guest houses based within local communities growing from 22 registered facilities in 2009 to just under 200 today.

With tourism and community development the central theme of this year’s World Tourism Day, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Adeeb lauded the Maldives’ industry as an example of how tourism can develop local communities.

Adeeb cited the current government’s innovation in mid-market tourism – the integrated resort project model – as a way to “responsibly diversify the tourism product of Maldives to the mid-market segment”.

“One of the fundamental elements of the Maldivian tourism industry is that the views and aspirations of the host community are taken into account as their support and genuine involvement enriches the holiday experience for the travelers visiting the Maldives from across the globe”.

The integrated resort model – pioneered with the recently launched Thumburi resort project – is designed to make the industry more accessible to small and medium sized enterprises, though some have questioned how the scheme will benefit local communities.

People-based development

World Tourism Day 2014 was celebrated in the Maldives with boduberu performances at all the country’s airports as well as environmental activities at a number of resorts, including reef cleaning and tree planting.

A bicycle ride was also organised in Hulhumalé to raise awareness of the use of environmentally friendly forms of transport.

The ride was organised by the Tourism Adaptation Project which will include 10 investment schemes to “climate proof” infrastructure in the tourism industry, explained Adeeb in the World Tourism Day supplement published for the occasion.

The supplement also included statements from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and World Tourism Organisation Secretary General Taleb Rifai.

“Tourism is a people-based economic activity built on social interaction, and as such can only prosper if it engages the local population by contributing to social values such as participation, education and enhanced local governance,” said Rifai.

“At the same time, there can be no real tourism development if such development damages in any way the values and the culture of host communities or the socio-economic benefits generated by the tourism sector do not trickle down to the community level.”

In his article for the supplement, Adeeb noted that the government’s flagship special economic zones bill would accelerate the development of the atolls and pave the way to initiate mega projects in different regions of the Maldives and will be a platform to expand our tourism industry”.

President Yameen last week reiterated his determination to provide equitable development throughout the 26 atolls, during a ceremony announcing reliable electricity would be provided to all inhabited islands during 2015.

A UNDP human development report released in June noted the growing disparities between the region surrounding the capital and the outer atolls. It described the tourism industry as an “oligarchy”.

While acknowledging the recent growth of the guest house industry, the report argues that the bulk of the luxury resort industry provides little opportunity for local small and medium enterprises.

Recent statistics showed that Malé’s Kaafu Atoll was home to 39.9 percent of the tourism industry’s bed capacity, while Seenu Atoll – home to country’s second largest urban population – had just 3.6 percent.

Following the launch of an online petition in April calling for development of the tourism industry in Haa Dhaalu – the country’s second northernmost atoll – government minister’s pledged equal development of the industry.

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Local sustainable fisheries auditor appointed in Maldives

Sustainable fisheries consultants MacAlister Elliott & Partners have trained and appointed a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) auditor in the Maldives.

Seema Ali will specialise in MSC assessment programmes, awarding sustainable fisheries certification to local companies in a move aimed to support employment in the Maldives.

“It is great to have someone based in the Maldives who can take on new MSC assessment programmes and also manage existing ones, for example through surveillance audits,” said Kat Collinson of MacAlister Elliott.

The Maldives’ skipjack tuna fishery is the first Indian Ocean tuna fishery to receive the MSC certification in 2012 for its low-impact technique where each wild fish is caught individually to reduce by-catch.

“Seema has embraced the role with great enthusiasm and she will also be well placed to take on new and existing MSC assessments in other parts of the Indian Ocean such as Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia,” Collinson added.

Collinson undertook MSC Chain of Custody (CoC) surveillance audits of the Maldives skipjack tuna pole and line fishery while in the Maldives. CoC standards for seafood traceability ensures the MSC ecolabel is only displayed on seafood from sustainable sources, explained MacAlister Elliott.

Traditionally the Maldives’ primary industry, the fishing industry has declined in recent years, falling behind tourism and construction as the country’s third-largest industry.

The volume of fish catch in the country has been steadily declining for the past seven years. While approximately 185,000 tonnes of fish were caught in 2006, the number had dropped to about 70,000 tonnes in 2011.

During the past five years, the value of the nation’s fisheries industry declined from MVR489 million (US$31.7 million) to MVR321 million (US$20.8 million) with a corresponding fall of 3.3 percent of the economy to 1.1 percent in 2012.

Statistics released by the Maldives Monetary Authority this month showed that fish purchases declined by 44 percent to 2,124.7 metric tonnes between July 2013 and July 2014.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has recently started awarding halal certification to local fisheries companies in order to open up Islamic markets for export.

The move followed notification from the European Union that extension of the duty-free status of imported fish from the Maldives would be rejected due to he country’s failure to comply with international conventions concerning freedom of religion.

UK Supermarket chain Sainsbury announced earlier this year that it had introduced the country’s first certified sustainable tuna sandwich using the MSC eco-label.

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Rilwan’s family call on police to follow up on issues highlighted by private investigation

The mother of missing Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan has responded to a private investigation into her son’s disappearance by calling upon police to pursue all lines of inquiry.

“Since the report publicized on September 22, 2014 is independent without the family or any others’ involvement, I call on the Maldives Police Services to investigate the issues highlighted on the report without delay,” said Aminath Easa on behalf of her family.

“I urge the police to ascertain if the individuals named in the report are involved in Rilwan’s disappearance and clear their names. If they are not involved, I urge the police to find those responsible and take immediate action,” read a statement released by the family today.

The report – commissioned by the Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) – speculated on multiple theories behind the disappearance 47 days ago, concluding a “gang related” abduction to be a “strong possibility”.

Evidence of possible “hostile surveillance” by two known affiliates of Malé based Kuda Henveiru gang was noted in the report, compiled by UK-based private security firm Athena Intelligence and Security.

Police have since condemned the report as “irresponsible” and “politically motivated”, suggesting that the safety and security of individuals named in the report has been compromised .

Police media officials has reported a number of complaints from those implicated in the report since its release, while the MDN’s Shahindha Ismail and the lawyer Mushfique Mohamed have also been subject to online intimidation.

Shahindha defended the report earlier today, noting that the information contained was already in the public domain.

“We have simply acknowledged the elephant in the room. It is questionable now whether the police are too afraid to address it themselves,” said Shahindha.

Rilwan’s mother today expressed gratitude for all organisation and members of the public who have offered assistance in helping find Rilwan.

Easa – aged 67 – has been at the forefront of efforts to publicise the disappearance of her 28-year-old son, leading a march around the capital last Friday (September 19) aimed at publicising a number of questions left outstanding by the police’s investigation

Similar questions were previously raised earlier this month in a petition to the People’s Majlis signed by around 5000 people. The family has yet to receive a response from the Majlis in relation to the petition.

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Police label MDN investigation “politically motivated”, MDN defends report

The Maldives Police Service has labelled the recently commissioned private investigation into the disappearance of Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan as “irresponsible” and “politically motivated”.

The findings of a Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) commissioned report by private investigators from the UK were intended to deceive the public, read a police statement yesterday evening.

“That the report publicized profiles of individuals violates their human rights, undermines their dignity, incites hatred against them and poses risks to their security,” said police. “We will investigate the process by which the report was compiled and take action against those involved.”

Responding to the police statement today, the MDN has defended the report and denied it had breached the rights of any individuals or organisations.

“The information in the report  contains what is already in the public domain. We have simply acknowledged the elephant in the room. It is questionable now whether the police are too afraid to address it themselves,” said MDN’s Shahindha Ismail.

Police have argued that the report was “based on baseless information” intended to lead people into thinking Rilwan was abducted.

Rilwan was last seen 46 days ago on the 1am ferry to Hulhumalé shortly before neighbours reported seeing a man forced into a car outside his apartment.

The report concluded that the disappearance is likely to have been an abduction involving local gangs. It named a number of individuals, some of whom have since submitted complaints with police.

Police said today that those named in the report – conducted by UK security firm Athena Intelligence and Security – have reported intimidation since its release. Threats to “disappear” Shahindha and Rilwan’s family’s lawyer Mushfiq Mohamed have also been posted online in the past 24 hours.

Shahindha told Minivan News today that MDN had previously contacted police, offering to bring in outside experts to assist, without receiving any response. She noted that the work commissioned was “in no way a criminal investigation” and was intended to assist rather than obstruct police.

She did, however, question the police’s awareness of the fundamental rights, protected under Article 16 of the Constitution.

“MDN is of the opinion that MPS need further awareness on fundamental rights, constitution and especially the Article 16 of it. MDN is a longstanding organisation which has worked to promote and protect human rights, regardless of whether they are of offenders, and we are well aware of the fact that we have not infringed a fundamental right of an individual or organisation.”

“We are extremely concerned that the MPS is focusing on defending people who have been  alleged been involved in criminal behaviour such as stalking and threatening, rather than looking into these allegations. These are crimes under the Gang Act (17 and 18 / 2010),” she said.

Despite repeated urges from family, friends, and international groups to expedite the investigations, police have yet to offer conclusive theories or evidence explaining the disappearance.

Last week they police noted that no “concrete evidence” could be found between Rilwan and the  reported abduction outside his apartment shortly after his last sighting.

Rilwan’s family – which has been at the forefront to hold authorities accountable for the apparently stalled investigation – is described by police as having been used by certain groups to obtain information regarding its investigation.

“We do not believe such information should be publicized” said Tuesday’s statement, suggesting that its release is avoided by police as it jeopardises peace and order

Police concluded the statement by noting that it’s officers are trained throughout the world – including the US, the UK and Australia – and are capable of investigating the smallest of incident up to larger crimes such as terrorism.

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Individuals named in MDN commissioned investigation file complaints

Individuals named as possible suspects in a Maldives Democracy Network (MDN) commissioned report into the disappearance of Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan have filed complaints with the Maldives Police Services.

“[I]ndividuals whose personal information was mentioned in a report by MDN have raised their concerns and some have filed cases with the police alleging that their personal safety & security is at risk and they are receiving threats,” police media officials told Minivan News today.

Ismail Abdul Raheem, accused in the report of having followed Rilwan in February this year and alleged to have attacked blogger Hilath Rasheed in December 2011, filed a complaint with the police yesterday, reported local media.

The investigation was conducted on behalf of MDN by UK-based private security firm Athena Intelligence and Security. The report concluded that the disappearance is likely to have been an abduction, involving local gangs.

Members of the MDN as well as friends and colleagues of Rilwan working with the #Findmoyameehaa campaign have also received threats in the 24 hours since the release of the report.

Gang members identified in the report circulated photos of MDN’s Shahindha Ismail and Rilwan’s family’s lawyer Mushfiq Mohamed on Facebook and asked for more details stating “These two need to be disappeared.” Meanwhile, Twitter accounts of Rilwan’s family members and friends are being circulated online.

The report confirmed evidence of possible “hostile surveillance” at the terminal conducted by two known affiliates of the Malé based Kuda Henveiru gang, naming one as Ahmed Shiran Saeed.

Rilwan was last seen on the 1am ferry travelling to Hulhumalé on August 8. Neighbours reported seeing a man being forced into a car outside Rilwan’s apartment at around 2am.

Citing a series of gang attacks against perceived secularists in June, the report said gang activity in Rilwan’s abduction to be a “strong possibility”.

The report noted increased radical activity among members of three main gangs in Malé – Bosnia, Kuda Henveiru, and Buru – and claimed gang members have participated in attacks against individuals they deem “un-Islamic”.

The report called on the police to further investigate the activities of extremist groups, gangs, and politicians in Rilwan’s disappearance.

The Maldives Police Service has yet to suggest any possible theories or lines of inquiry being followed, last week noting that no “concrete evidence” could be found between Rilwan and the  reported abduction outside his apartment shortly after his last sighting.

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Supreme Court initiates suo moto proceedings against Human Rights Commission

The Supreme Court has initiated suo moto proceedings again the Human Rights Commission of Maldives in relation to a report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) last week.

All five commission members were called to the court this afternoon before being handed a summons for a hearing on Wednesday (September 24).

HRCM members have told Minivan News today that they face numerous charges, though lawyers have advised them not to give further details at this point.

The commission’s report – submitted as part of the UN Universal Periodic Review – criticised the court’s growing powers, suggesting that control of the judiciary by the Supreme Court was damaging the lower courts.

“[D]ue to shortfalls in judicial system, functioning of the judiciary is often questionable on various grounds including independence, transparency, interference, influence, competency, consistency, and accessibility,” read the report.

The Supreme Court’s use of suo moto proceedings – which allow the court to initiate hearings and act as both plaintiff and judge – mirrors proceedings use against the Elections Commission (EC) earlier this year.

EC President Fuwad Thowfeek and Vice President Ahmed Fayaz were charged with contempt of court and disobedience to order as a result of testimony given in the People’s Majlis independent commissions oversight committee.

The unprecedented suo moto procedures were used to remove both Thowfeek and Fayaz from their posts just weeks before the Majlis elections in March, with both given 6 month suspended sentences.

Subsequent changes to contempt of court regulations made in June authorised courts to initiate legal proceedings and punish individuals for any expression, action, gesture, or piece of writing “inside or outside a courtroom” that could be considered contempt of court.

United Nations

The 2006 Human Right Commission Act lists the promotion and protection of human rights in accordance with international conventions along with the assistance and support of relevant NGOs as basic objectives of the commission.

Additionally, Article 27 of the HRCM Act grant members immunity from prosecution in relation to acts carried out as part of the commission’s duties.

Article 27 (b) meanwhile says that a case can only be filed against the commission regarding published reports following an inquiry which proves components of the report to have been false.

UN bodies have been amongst those most critical of the Maldivian justice system in recent months, with a report into the judiciary by a UN Special Rapporteur last year making particular note of the centralised administration and the failure to address human rights violations.

The report was subsequently described by the Maldives representative to the UNHRC as undermining the sovereignty of the country.

Criticism of the Supreme Court’s role in the electoral process by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay last October was subsequently described as “ill-informed” and “irresponsible” by former President Dr Mohamed Waheed.

Waheed is amongst the delegates representing the Maldives at the 69th session of the UN General Assembly, along with Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon.

Earlier this week, on the occasion of the Maldives’ 49th year of UN membership, Dunya praised the organisation as “the only forum where every nation in the world, big or small, has an equal say”.

The UNHCR’s periodic review studies the human rights records of all 193 UN member states, aiming to prompt, support, and expand the protection of human rights. After having been reviewed first in 2010, the Maldives will again undergo inspection in 2015.

Speaking to Minivan News last week after receiving her summons for today’s hearing, HRCM member Jeehan Mahmood defended the UPR report.

“It’s the one chance we get to bring the world’s attention to issues that the state chooses to ignore on domestic forums”.

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Teachers’ Black Sunday protest prompts government talks, strike decision pending

Additional reporting by Zaheena Rasheed

The Teachers Association of Maldives (TAM) has completed a timeline with the government to meet the demands of teachers, ahead of a proposed strike this Tuesday

“The government’s decision to sit for talks and compile a timeline is a sign President Yameen himself attended to the teacher’s demands,” TAM President Athif Abdul Hakeem told Minivan News today.

“I am happy. We now have a way forward,” he added following association members again donning black today in what is being termed ‘Black Sunday’.

The Ministry of Education had earlier appeared unwilling to give in to teachers’ demands for higher pay and reform, while the Labor Relations Authority reportedly labelled the proposed strike as ‘not peaceful’.

“We will not increase salaries on request from certain groups. We are working on it not because teachers had demanded so. But teachers do request that it be expedited,” State Minister for Education Adam Shareef told local media.

TAM will now hold consultations with their committee and focal points in the atolls, Athif explained, before holding a meeting tomorrow night to decide whether they will continue or call off the strike.

A statement from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) noted that government was treating the potential strike as illegal.

“This commission has received information that the Labor Relations Authority has decided it cannot deem the strike planned by the Teacher’s Association of Maldives as one that is peaceful and within the parameters of laws and regulations,” said the government workers’ organisation

Black Sunday

Around ninety percent of teachers were reported to have demonstrated again today by wearing black to work after TAM members had pledged late last week to strike on September 23 should the longstanding grievances not be addressed.

A number of issues – which include revised pay, protection of teachers and students, and official recognition of TAM – have been raised repeatedly with the ministry claims the association, and are now said to be part of the agreed timeline.

Minister Shareef today acknowledged that poor communication was to blame for the current situation, but said he expected teachers to attend classes on Tuesday as discussions continued.

“O’ Level exams are to start soon. Parents and students are preparing for it. It will create huge concern if teachers decide to stop work during such a critical time,” he added.

The CSC noted today that the Constitution allowed for work stoppages as a form of protest, but that procedures outlined in the regulations on resolution of conflicts between employers and employees must be followed.

Speaking at a TAM meeting on Thursday evening, association president Athif pledged to strike indefinitely should the government not make adequate use of the talks.

“Once we strike, there is no turning back. The options are death or success. God willing, we will only stop once we have achieved success,” said Athif.

Opposition support

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced its support for the strikes should discussions with the government fail.

MDP Chairperson Ali Waheed told media today that, although the party did not want to see strikes, it would back a teacher strike should talks again prove fruitless.

“MDP very much wants for government to listen to their concerns and solve the issues through discussions, before this reaches a whole different level. MDP will stand behind all such protests,” said Waheed at a press conference today.

Meanwhile, MDP Parliamentary Group Deputy Leader and former teacher Rozaina Adam also announced her support for the proposed strikes.

“They have been asking for this raise from Maumoon’s administration, through Nasheed’s and Waheed’s administration and now into Yameen’s administration. It is with great sadness that we have to note that everyone has turned on a deaf ear to their pleas,” wrote Rozaina on her personal blog.

The Addu-Meedhoo MP expressed concern at the falling standards of the sector, noting that poor pay and working conditions were forcing good teachers away from the profession.

“I call upon the government as an MP, a parent and as a person who worked in the teaching profession, to hear out the teachers’ demands and find solutions for their problems,” said Rozaina

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Maldives’ UN journey proof small states can contribute to international community: Foreign minister

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dunya Maumoon has told the UN General Assembly that the Maldives journey with the body is proof small states can contribute to the international community.

“The story of the Maldives, is the story of all small states at the United Nations. The Maldives journey at the UN, is proof that with smart ideas, small states can successfully contribute and become significant members of the international community,” said Dunya on the anniversary of the Maldives’ membership.

A press release from the foreign ministry has today described the UN as a “trusted partner and a staunch advocate” of the Maldives during the past half century.

Dunya’s comments were in stark contrast to the previous two appearances by the country’s leaders at the UNGA in New York, during which the Maldives was critical of perceived attempts by the organisation to interfere in the state’s sovereign affairs.

Speaking at the 69th session of the UNGA this week, Dunya noted that the Maldives was the first so-called ‘micro-state’ to seek entry to the UN, and has since been at the forefront of the small state issues, holding the first ever conference of small states 25-years ago and forming the first alliance of small nations.

During its 49 years as a member of the UN, the Maldives has worked to establish recognised links between climate change and human rights, explained a foreign ministry statement today.

Speaking at the 3rd International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Samoa last week, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom – father of the foreign minister – called upon larger nations not to stand in the way of small island leadership on climate change.

“SIDS are ready to lead. Don’t stand in our way,” said Maumoon, representing the Maldives as a special envoy at the conference.

The foreign ministrya also noted that, following the difficult transition from less developed to middle income status nation in 2011, the Maldives has “raised concerns about the criteria used for graduation by the UN as negatively impacting Small Island Developing States”.

The graduation from less developed status was recently described by President Abdulla Yameen as coming with “enormous challenges and hardships.”

As the country’s graduated to middle income status in 2011 – forfeiting access to concessional credit, certain trade concessions, and some foreign aid – Maldivian representatives to the World Trade Organisation accused the UN of ignoring the country’s vulnerabilities.

At the 67th session of the UNGA in 2012, President Dr Mohamed Waheed argued that “small justice is being served for a small state” following the international response to his controversial ascent to the presidency that year.

The following year, it was Dunya’s predecessor Dr Mariyam Shakeela who attacked the UN for what she suggested had been attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of the Maldives following the UN’s concern at repeated delays of the 2013 presidential election.

Criticism of the Supreme Court’s role in the electoral process by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay was subsequently described as “ill-informed” and “irresponsible” by Waheed, while a report into the judiciary by a UN Special Rapporteur in the same year was described by the Maldives as undermining the government.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ statement today reiterated, however, the country’s belief that the UN remained the most legitimate forum for globally significant issues.

“It remains the only forum where every nation in the world, big or small, has an equal say,” the statement read.

“Forty nine years ago, the Maldives affirmed our faith in the United Nations; as a shining example of equality, hope and peace, and joined the community of nations to ultimately achieve freedom from want, and freedom from fear. The Maldives will continue on its journey at the UN, providing smart ideas, offering solutions to all issues of global interest.”

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