Maldives president condemns Israel’s ‘targeting of journalists’
Mohamed Muizzu, president of the South Asian island nation, directly focused on media workers targeted in Israel’s war on Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon.
“Israel’s targeting of journalists, the eyes and ears of humanity, the killing of journalists, Palestinian journalists, Lebanese journalists, Al Jazeera journalists, the closure of Al Jazeera officers,” Muizzu said, referring to the Israeli closure of Al Jazeera’s West Bank office over the weekend.
“How can we interpret this as anything other than brutal attempts to prevent the world from knowing about the crimes taking place?”
Maldives leader envisions path to tech-forward, ‘fully developed nation’
Muizzu said he hopes by 2040 the Maldives will be a “fully developed nation”.
“Prevailing and even thriving against formidable odds is nothing new for the Maldives,” he said, saying the country of about 500,000 people would seek to build a “digital economy” that harnesses the power of AI to boost housing, healthcare and climate resiliency.
“The Maldives has over 1,100 islands spread across 90,000sq km. Enhancing digital connectivity is key to achieving inclusive development, mobilising economic activity, and fostering a more diversified and resilient economy,” he said.
Small nations such as the Maldives “count on the support” of the UN members to meet development and climate goals, Muizzu added.
Sustainable development goals ‘in threat’: Tajikistan president
Emomali Rahmon – like most UNGA speakers today – pledged to meet the UN’s sustainable development goals as set out in the 2030 agenda.
He noted a recent report found the international community is on track to only achieve 17 percent of the goals by 2030.
“We need to intensify other efforts to implement the 2030 agenda in a timely manner and pay particular attention to the financing for sustainable development,” he said.
What are the sustainable development goals?
- No poverty
- Zero hunger
- Good health and wellbeing
- Quality education
- Gender equality
- Clean water and sanitation
- Affordable and clean energy
- Decent work and economic growth
- Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- Reduced inequalities
- Sustainable cities and communities
- Responsible consumption and production
- Climate action
- Life below water
- Life on land
- Peace, justice, and strong institutions
- Partnerships to achieve the goals
