Foreign Minister Irthisham Adam has reaffirmed that the Maldives will always advocate for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Speaking at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers’ meeting held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Minister called for expanding the OIC’s role in halting the illegal actions being carried out by the Jewish state in Palestine. She stated that Israel’s decision to claim Palestinian lands as its own and its continued occupation of these territories is a matter of grave concern. She also expressed concern over the failure to take adequate measures to enforce international law against the Jewish state.

The meeting was convened at the initiative of Saudi Arabia in response to Israel’s open opposition to implementing the Gaza peace roadmap. The Minister affirmed that the Maldives will continue to support the establishment of Palestine as an independent state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. She further called for the implementation of the “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.”

On the sidelines of the meeting, the Foreign Minister held bilateral talks with several foreign ministers of Islamic countries, including Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian, to discuss strengthening bilateral relations. During her meeting with the Palestinian Foreign Minister, she reassured that the Maldivian people will always stand with the people of Palestine.

The Maldives has been an active member of the OIC, a 57-member organisation, since joining in 1976.