Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand met with Dunya Maumoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (August 7) to discuss security and environmental issues shared by small states.
Dunya noted New Zealand’s strong support of small states and the specific challenges in terms of security, environmental degradation, and political leverage that small states face in the international arena.
In return, McCully assured his commitment to working closely with the Maldives in strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries and on global issues of mutual interest such as security of small states, renewable energy, and climate change.
In addition, Dunya thanked the Government of New Zealand for the scholarship opportunities provided by New Zealand for Maldivian students and expressed hope that such opportunities would increase in future.
Dunya has said noted previously that highlighting the challenges faced by small states would form an important part of the Maldives’ foreign policy.