Ahead of the much-awaited Yoga Day celebrations, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Csaba Kőrösi said that all Guinness Records would be broken when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads the event at UN headquarters in New York.

Speaking to WION, Kőrösi said that the yoga session is expected to witness a massive attendance with leading personalities and envoys from at least 180 countries participating in the event.

“I think we are very close to breaking the Guinness Record tomorrow (June 21)&nbsp;while doing yoga at UN headquarters and around New York and at the same time with the largest number of people.”

Describing the importance of doing yoga, the UNGA chief said that the ancient Indian practice has a valuable lesson to teach humans in modern times.

“What yoga tells us all—though I am not a good practitioner—is that the forces and energies out there in the universe and in us are the same. And these energies try to achieve the same balance.”

“There’s an important message for all of us doing yoga: non-violence, non-greed, not overusing resources and persevering on what we have from our ancestors, and keeping everything in balance.”

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"We are very close to breaking the Guinness Record tomorrow" 
 
UNGA President <a href="https://twitter.com/Csaba_Korosi_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Csaba_Korosi_</a> talks to WION's <a href="https://twitter.com/MollyGambhir?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MollyGambhir</a> as he underlines the preparations for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YogaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YogaDay</a> celebrations at UN HQ. The celebrations will be led by Indian PM Modi.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ModiInUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/wFVn0Z7kdU">pic.twitter.com/wFVn0Z7kdU</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1671350253814177794?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Modi to lead unique session</h2>

On June 21 (US time), PM Modi will lead a unique yoga session to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga at the UN Headquarters.

Prominent individuals from the UN and envoys from across the world are expected to partake.

This will be the first time that the Indian leader will lead the yoga session from the United Nations General Assembly podium ever since Modi got the international organisation to mark June 21 as Yoga Day.

On Monday, India’s permanent representative to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj told WION that it is one of the most anticipated events.

There are three things why I think this year’s yoga day is significant. First and foremost is the very inclusive aspect of it, because all 195 countries are expected to participate in it. This event sort of unites people with different cultural backgrounds. Second is the alignment of yoga with the UN sustainable development goals with an emphasis on health and well-being, as yoga aligns well with SDG 3 (health), and SDG 4 (Education).”

“And with its emphasis on mindfulness, and being very conscious of oneself and the environment, it is also related to SDG Goal 12 (mindful consumption and production) and SDG Goal 13 (environment),” Kamboj told WION.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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Ahead of the much-awaited Yoga Day celebrations, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Csaba Kőrösi said that all Guinness Records would be broken when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads the event at UN headquarters in New York.

Ahead of the much-awaited Yoga Day celebrations, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Csaba Kőrösi said that all Guinness Records would be broken when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads the event at UN headquarters in New York. Speaking to WION, Kőrösi said that the yoga session is expected to witness a massive attendance with leading personalities and envoys from at least 180 countries participating in the event. “I think we are very close to breaking the Guinness Record tomorrow (June 21) while doing yoga at UN headquarters and around New York and at the same time with the largest number of people.” Describing the importance of doing yoga, the UNGA chief said that the ancient Indian practice has a valuable lesson to teach humans in modern times. “What yoga tells us all—though I am not a good practitioner—is that the forces and energies out there in the universe and in us are the same. And these energies try to achieve the same balance.” “There’s an important message for all of us doing yoga: non-violence, non-greed, not overusing resources and persevering on what we have from our ancestors, and keeping everything in balance.” "We are very close to breaking the Guinness Record tomorrow" UNGA President @Csaba_Korosi_ talks to WION's @MollyGambhir as he underlines the preparations for #YogaDay celebrations at UN HQ. The celebrations will be led by Indian PM Modi.#ModiInUS pic.twitter.com/wFVn0Z7kdU — WION (@WIONews) June 21, 2023 × Modi to lead unique session On June 21 (US time), PM Modi will lead a unique yoga session to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga at the UN Headquarters. Prominent individuals from the UN and envoys from across the world are expected to partake. This will be the first time that the Indian leader will lead the yoga session from the United Nations General Assembly podium ever since Modi got the international organisation to mark June 21 as Yoga Day. On Monday, India’s permanent representative to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj told WION that it is one of the most anticipated events. There are three things why I think this year’s yoga day is significant. First and foremost is the very inclusive aspect of it, because all 195 countries are expected to participate in it. This event sort of unites people with different cultural backgrounds. Second is the alignment of yoga with the UN sustainable development goals with an emphasis on health and well-being, as yoga aligns well with SDG 3 (health), and SDG 4 (Education).” “And with its emphasis on mindfulness, and being very conscious of oneself and the environment, it is also related to SDG Goal 12 (mindful consumption and production) and SDG Goal 13 (environment),” Kamboj told WION. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

‘Very close to breaking Guinness Record’: UNGA chief to WION on yoga event at UN

Abdulla Shahid, the president of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on Tuesday clarified to WION that Myanmar did not speak at the assembly hall because it failed to make a request as per the protocols.

Speaking exclusively to WION’s Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay, he sought to put to&nbsp;rest speculation that the country now under a military junta was not allowed to speak at the behest of US, China and Russia.

Shahid said a committee will meet in November to decide whether&nbsp;Myanmar’s current UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun will be allowed to retain his seat.

“No country has decided that Myanmar will not speak. We have a lot of procedures here which are being followed. There is a committee on credentials who are meeting in November and their report will be adopted by the general assembly. So, it is up to the membership of the UN to decide on these things,” Shahid said.

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"I received no request from Myanmar" 
 
UNGA President Abdulla Shahid (<a href="https://twitter.com/abdulla_shahid?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@abdulla_shahid</a>) speaks exclusively with WION's <a href="https://twitter.com/palkisu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@palkisu</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Myanmar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Myanmar</a>'s exclusion from the list of speakers at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA76?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNGA76</a>, says "everyone who requested to speak were given the floor"<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WIONatUNGA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONatUNGA</a> <a href="https://t.co/J5d6Gb0MFN">pic.twitter.com/J5d6Gb0MFN</a>
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When pointed out that Myanmar’s current UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun – appointed by Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government— was not allowed to address the assembly, Shahid said, “I am not aware of it. As the president of UNGA, I am not aware of anyone not allowing it. I am the person who either allows or doesn’t allow.”

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-wont-address-world-at-un-ousted-afghan-government-will-416300">&nbsp;Myanmar won't address world at UN, ousted Afghan government will</a>

When the president was asked if the Myanmar representative make a request to address the UNGA, Shahid said, “There was no request from the Myanmar delegation to speak."

"I just completed the general debate at the assembly hall and the list of speakers was exhausted. Meaning: Everyone who requested to speak were given the floor, in which 194 delegations spoke," he said, pointing out that Myanmar was the only one who did not make a request to speak.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-says-plot-against-myanmar-un-envoy-fits-disturbing-pattern-403812">US says plot against Myanmar UN envoy fits 'disturbing pattern'</a>

There were reports that China, Russia and the United States had reached an understanding to prevent&nbsp;Kyaw Moe Tun&nbsp;from addressing the general assembly.

Watch

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-edition-myanmar-envoy-stopped-from-addressing-unga-416471/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Kyaw Moe Tun is supported by the international community and has retained his seat at the United Nations following the February 1 military coup.

In May, the junta had appointed a former general to replace him, but the United Nations has not yet approved the appointment.

UN accreditation issues are dealt with by a nine-member committee, whose members include the US, China and Russia. It traditionally meets in October or November.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since Aung San Suu Kyi’s government was overthrown by the military in February, sparking a nationwide uprising that the military has tried to crush.

(With inputs from agencies)

Abdulla Shahid, the president of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on Tuesday clarified to WION that Myanmar did not speak at the assembly hall because it failed to make a request as per the protocols.

Abdulla Shahid, the president of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on Tuesday clarified to WION that Myanmar did not speak at the assembly hall because it failed to make a request as per the protocols. Speaking exclusively to WION’s Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay, he sought to put to rest speculation that the country now under a military junta was not allowed to speak at the behest of US, China and Russia. Shahid said a committee will meet in November to decide whether Myanmar’s current UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun will be allowed to retain his seat. “No country has decided that Myanmar will not speak. We have a lot of procedures here which are being followed. There is a committee on credentials who are meeting in November and their report will be adopted by the general assembly. So, it is up to the membership of the UN to decide on these things,” Shahid said. "I received no request from Myanmar" UNGA President Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) speaks exclusively with WION's @palkisu on #Myanmar's exclusion from the list of speakers at #UNGA76, says "everyone who requested to speak were given the floor"#WIONatUNGA pic.twitter.com/J5d6Gb0MFN — WION (@WIONews) September 28, 2021 × When pointed out that Myanmar’s current UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun – appointed by Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government— was not allowed to address the assembly, Shahid said, “I am not aware of it. As the president of UNGA, I am not aware of anyone not allowing it. I am the person who either allows or doesn’t allow.” Also read | Myanmar won't address world at UN, ousted Afghan government will When the president was asked if the Myanmar representative make a request to address the UNGA, Shahid said, “There was no request from the Myanmar delegation to speak." "I just completed the general debate at the assembly hall and the list of speakers was exhausted. Meaning: Everyone who requested to speak were given the floor, in which 194 delegations spoke," he said, pointing out that Myanmar was the only one who did not make a request to speak. Also read | US says plot against Myanmar UN envoy fits 'disturbing pattern' There were reports that China, Russia and the United States had reached an understanding to prevent Kyaw Moe Tun from addressing the general assembly. Watch Kyaw Moe Tun is supported by the international community and has retained his seat at the United Nations following the February 1 military coup. In May, the junta had appointed a former general to replace him, but the United Nations has not yet approved the appointment. UN accreditation issues are dealt with by a nine-member committee, whose members include the US, China and Russia. It traditionally meets in October or November. Myanmar has been in turmoil since Aung San Suu Kyi’s government was overthrown by the military in February, sparking a nationwide uprising that the military has tried to crush. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar did not make a request to speak, UNGA president Abdulla Shahid clarifies to WION

76th session of the UN General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid said, he received the two doses of Covishield vaccine manufactured in India. Watch this report for more details.

'I got two doses of Covishield from India', says 76th UNGA President Abdulla Shahid

In an exclusive interview to Palki Sharma, UN General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid told WION that Myanmar didn't make a request to address the General Assembly Debate.

Gravitas: Exclusive: Shahid says Myanmar didn't make a request to speak at UN

Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid has been elected as the president of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA)&nbsp;that will start in September.

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Thank you very much Mr. President <a href="https://t.co/RC6UzBeJVb">https://t.co/RC6UzBeJVb</a>
— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) <a href="https://twitter.com/abdulla_shahid/status/1401916479549890564?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Abdulla Shahid received 143 votes during the election. The president of UNGA&nbsp;needs 97 votes in the&nbsp;193-member strong assembly.

The post of president of UNGA is voted on a yearly basis by all the 193 members of the core UN body. The tenure of the president of UNGA lasts for&nbsp;one year and is considered prestigious due to the authority the person wields&nbsp;over the working of the General Assembly.

India had backed the candidature of foreign minister Abdulla&nbsp;with the announcement being first made during India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla's Maldives visit in November and&nbsp;again during the visit of EAM Jaishankar's visit to the Maldives in February, India reiterated its continued backing for Maldives FM's candidature.

In an interview to WION in April, the Maldives FM had appreciated India's backing. He told WION, "Maldives candidature and the support of the Indian government for the Maldives candidature is very much appreciated and it is a great honour for the country."

In his vision statement titled "A Presidency of Hope: Delivering for People, Planet and Prosperity”, FM Shahid listed five&nbsp;priority themes - called "Five Rays of Hope”. The&nbsp;key areas were&nbsp;-&nbsp;recovering from COVID-19, rebuilding sustainably, responding to the needs of the planet, respecting the rights of all and&nbsp;revitalising the United Nations.

Abdulla Shahid&nbsp;in the vision statement&nbsp;called on, "efforts to make the United Nations efficient, effective and accountable" with the aim to "continue, together with efforts to reform the Security Council, revitalise the General Assembly&nbsp;and strengthen the economic and social council."

"As a Maldivian, it is in my ethos to persevere—to both hope and work for a better tomorrow. Hope lets us stand up, dust ourselves off, and once again&nbsp;work on rebuilding this world. Hope is what can bring us together," the Maldives foreign minister said.

The Maldives FM began his career in 1983 as a foreign service officer and has played prominent roles at the international stage as well as domestically in his country.

In accordance with the established regional rotation, the president of the seventy-sixth session of the General Assembly is to be elected from the group of Asia-Pacific states.

The other candidate for the UNGA president's post was Afghanistan's Dr Zalmai Rassoul. He has been the former foreign minister of Afghanistan and had initiated and led the launch of Heart of Asia Istanbul process in 2011 and expanded his country's engagement in regional platforms like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SEO).

Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid has been elected as the president of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) that will start in September.

Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid has been elected as the president of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) that will start in September. Thank you very much Mr. President https://t.co/RC6UzBeJVb — Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) June 7, 2021 × Abdulla Shahid received 143 votes during the election. The president of UNGA needs 97 votes in the 193-member strong assembly. The post of president of UNGA is voted on a yearly basis by all the 193 members of the core UN body. The tenure of the president of UNGA lasts for one year and is considered prestigious due to the authority the person wields over the working of the General Assembly. India had backed the candidature of foreign minister Abdulla with the announcement being first made during India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla's Maldives visit in November and again during the visit of EAM Jaishankar's visit to the Maldives in February, India reiterated its continued backing for Maldives FM's candidature. In an interview to WION in April, the Maldives FM had appreciated India's backing. He told WION, "Maldives candidature and the support of the Indian government for the Maldives candidature is very much appreciated and it is a great honour for the country." In his vision statement titled "A Presidency of Hope: Delivering for People, Planet and Prosperity”, FM Shahid listed five priority themes - called "Five Rays of Hope”. The key areas were - recovering from COVID-19, rebuilding sustainably, responding to the needs of the planet, respecting the rights of all and revitalising the United Nations. Abdulla Shahid in the vision statement called on, "efforts to make the United Nations efficient, effective and accountable" with the aim to "continue, together with efforts to reform the Security Council, revitalise the General Assembly and strengthen the economic and social council." "As a Maldivian, it is in my ethos to persevere—to both hope and work for a better tomorrow. Hope lets us stand up, dust ourselves off, and once again work on rebuilding this world. Hope is what can bring us together," the Maldives foreign minister said. The Maldives FM began his career in 1983 as a foreign service officer and has played prominent roles at the international stage as well as domestically in his country. In accordance with the established regional rotation, the president of the seventy-sixth session of the General Assembly is to be elected from the group of Asia-Pacific states. The other candidate for the UNGA president's post was Afghanistan's Dr Zalmai Rassoul. He has been the former foreign minister of Afghanistan and had initiated and led the launch of Heart of Asia Istanbul process in 2011 and expanded his country's engagement in regional platforms like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SEO).

Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid elected next UNGA President

The president-elect of the seventy-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly Abdulla Shahid is in India for his first foreign visit.

Shahid, who is the foreign minister of Maldives will hold talks with external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar and call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla will also host the minister.

A release by the ministry of external affairs said, "The visit of PGA-elect will provide an opportunity to exchange views with him on several global challenges that the United Nations is currently seized with. It will also give us an opportunity to reiterate India’s abiding commitment to multilateralism and to the UN’s leadership in confronting these challenges."

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Departing to Delhi today on an official visit as President-elect of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA76?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNGA76</a>, on the invitation of the Indian Government. 
 
Look forward to calling on PM H.E. <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>, and meeting with EAM H.E.<a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrSJaishankar</a> during the visit. <a href="https://t.co/QwwDCpJNkV">pic.twitter.com/QwwDCpJNkV</a>
— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) <a href="https://twitter.com/abdulla_shahid/status/1417779649065611266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2021</a></blockquote>
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During the UNGA elections he got a whopping 143 votes in the 193 strong body with 97 votes stipulated as the threshold for winning the elections. The tenure of the post is one year and is considered prestigious due to authority over the working of the General Assembly.

India had strongly backed the candidature of Abdulla&nbsp;with the announcement first being made during foreign secretary Harsh Shringla's Maldives visit in November. Again during the visit of EAM Jaishankar's visit to the Maldives in February of 2021, India reiterated its continued backing for his candidature.

India's deputy ambassador to United Nations Nagaraj Naidu will be the chef du cabinet of Abdulla as the president of UNGA. This is for the first time that an Indian diplomat will be at that post and his tenure will be for a period of one year. The post is like the chief of staff or like in the Indian system PM's Principal Secretary.

New Delhi and Male share a strong relationship and amid the COVID-19&nbsp;crisis, India had sent relief such as medicines and other essentials to the country. The country&nbsp;along with Bhutan was among the first two&nbsp;countries to get India-made vaccines in January.

The Indian release highlighted that "Maldives occupies a central place as part of India’s Neighbourhood First policy and the SAGAR vision of the Prime Minister" and the "two ministers are also expected to review the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation between the two sides".

Both Jaishankar and Shahid will hold talks on Friday&nbsp;after which MoU will be signed. He will also deliver a speech on COVID-19&nbsp;and reformed multilateralism at the Indian Council of World Affairs, Sapru House at&nbsp;New Delhi.

Minister Shahid is accompanied by Member of Parliament Hussain Shaheem&nbsp;and Joint Secretary Mariyam Midhfa Naeem from the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is in India for 4 days and will leave on Saturday.

The president-elect of the seventy-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly Abdulla Shahid is in India for his first foreign visit. Shahid, who is the foreign minister of Maldives will hold talks with external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar and call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The president-elect of the seventy-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly Abdulla Shahid is in India for his first foreign visit. Shahid, who is the foreign minister of Maldives will hold talks with external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar and call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla will also host the minister. A release by the ministry of external affairs said, "The visit of PGA-elect will provide an opportunity to exchange views with him on several global challenges that the United Nations is currently seized with. It will also give us an opportunity to reiterate India’s abiding commitment to multilateralism and to the UN’s leadership in confronting these challenges." Departing to Delhi today on an official visit as President-elect of #UNGA76, on the invitation of the Indian Government. Look forward to calling on PM H.E. @narendramodi, and meeting with EAM H.E.@DrSJaishankar during the visit. pic.twitter.com/QwwDCpJNkV — Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) July 21, 2021 × During the UNGA elections he got a whopping 143 votes in the 193 strong body with 97 votes stipulated as the threshold for winning the elections. The tenure of the post is one year and is considered prestigious due to authority over the working of the General Assembly. India had strongly backed the candidature of Abdulla with the announcement first being made during foreign secretary Harsh Shringla's Maldives visit in November. Again during the visit of EAM Jaishankar's visit to the Maldives in February of 2021, India reiterated its continued backing for his candidature. India's deputy ambassador to United Nations Nagaraj Naidu will be the chef du cabinet of Abdulla as the president of UNGA. This is for the first time that an Indian diplomat will be at that post and his tenure will be for a period of one year. The post is like the chief of staff or like in the Indian system PM's Principal Secretary. New Delhi and Male share a strong relationship and amid the COVID-19 crisis, India had sent relief such as medicines and other essentials to the country. The country along with Bhutan was among the first two countries to get India-made vaccines in January. The Indian release highlighted that "Maldives occupies a central place as part of India’s Neighbourhood First policy and the SAGAR vision of the Prime Minister" and the "two ministers are also expected to review the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation between the two sides". Both Jaishankar and Shahid will hold talks on Friday after which MoU will be signed. He will also deliver a speech on COVID-19 and reformed multilateralism at the Indian Council of World Affairs, Sapru House at New Delhi. Minister Shahid is accompanied by Member of Parliament Hussain Shaheem and Joint Secretary Mariyam Midhfa Naeem from the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is in India for 4 days and will leave on Saturday.

As UNGA president-elect, Abdulla Shahid visits India in his first foreign visit

In his first-ever interview since his massive victory for the post of President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has listed dealing with the Covid crisis, UN reforms among his five key priorities.&nbsp;

Shahid received 143 votes at UNGA during Monday's voting, far higher than the 96 votes required, with his one-year tenure all set to begin from this September.

Speaking to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal from New York, Shahid said, "We need to make sure we provide vaccines to all".

He hoped that a 'common definition' would be reached by the membership when it comes to the issue of terrorism as envisaged under the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). 
 
India has proposed CCIT in 1996 which calls for a common definition on the issue of terrorism, but it continues to languish due to a lack of consensus.

Shahid thanked India for the support of his candidature saying, "India recognised important role a country like the Maldives can play in the international stage".

India had backed his candidature, with the announcement being first made during India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla's Maldives visit in November.

During the visit of External Affairs Minister&nbsp;S Jaishankar&nbsp;to the Maldives in February, India reiterated its continued backing for the Maldives FM's candidature.

Sidhant Sibal: Your reaction after&nbsp;being elected for the post of president of United Nations General Assembly?

Abdulla Shahid: I am deeply humbled&nbsp;by this election. I am also at the same time a proud Maldivian today. This is a great honour for the Maldivian people, for the nation. The Maldives is a small country, but we have been responsible and committed member of the United Nations for the last 55 years.

We became the member of the United Nations&nbsp;three months after we became independent. And I think this election has clearly shown that the current President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's foreign policy is well-respected and received by the international community. It is indeed a great honour for the Maldives.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: You got more than 140 votes at the United Nations General Assembly, what does it show? And how has the process been?

Abdulla Shahid: The number of votes we received indicated&nbsp;how the international community has received the Maldives.

The international community has received the presidency of hope that I proposed to the international community.

You would know, last year has been a year of despair, death, sorrow, and pain for the entire world.

I proposed the Presidency of Hope, which I promised will help us&nbsp;overcome these difficult times. We should be aiming to go over the hill and had proposed that together the United Nations can lead this effort.

I believe the membership was also eager to take on this presidency of hope and give it to their constituents, the citizens of the world.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: The Presidency of hope has five-point agenda. If you can list these priority areas?

Abdulla Shahid: I proposed my presidency, the presidency of hope will be built on five rays of hope. The first ray of hope is recovering from COVID-19, it is going to dominate the international agenda for several years to come, but we need to concentrate on three main points.

Number 1 is a clear pathway in dealing with COVID-19, with the ultimate aim of eradicating it.

Number 2 is vaccine equity, no one is safe until everyone is safe. We need to make sure we provide vaccines to all.

Number 3 is dealing with the economic impact it has created on all our country. My second ray of hope is rebuilding sustainably.

We started the new decade with the launching of the decade of action, but the pandemic has really dampened the decade of action and now we have to start, reset the clock, and restart building back better, building back greener, and stronger and I believe we can do it.

We need to reset the clock and put into the recovery phase and make it into a decade of recovery as well. The third ray of hope of my presidency would be responding to the needs of the planet, both Sidhant, you and me, everyone, here we can feel and see our mother earth planet in pain. We need to address it.

The pandemic once again has taken focus again from climate-related issues, but these are not the issues we can put on the backburner. We need to start addressing it now, many major conferences coming now. COP26 is coming, the oceans conference is coming up, the COP15 on biodiversity is coming up, and the energy summit is coming up.

All these conferences are going to create momentum which I am proposing United Nations General Assembly should harness and turn into action. Fourth ray of hope I am proposing is, respect the rights of all, human rights have to be the centre of all developmental issues and all issues.

I believe, United Nations Human Rights Commission, and Human Rights Council, and the United Nations General Assembly should together be conscious of the international community on human rights issues. We should prioritise such issues like issues of gender-based violence, violence against children, gender parity.

We need to prioritise youth-related issues. These are the issues we should start addressing while respecting the rights of all.

Fifth and the final ray of hope is revitalising the United Nations. UN needs to be stronger, it needs to be transparent, accountable, and it needs to be efficient to deliver to the nations.

UNGA needs revitalisation. It’s a process that has been ongoing, and we need to continue with the reform of the Security Council, we need to make sure the Economic and Social Council is stronger.

These are my five rays of hope, I believe that the clear vote that was cast yesterday showed that the membership wanted this presidency of hope to be there so that presidency could be built on five&nbsp;rays of hope.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: On the issue of terror, what will be the key focus? Especially when it comes to consensus on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, something that has been languishing since 1996 due to lack of consensus?

Abdulla Shahid: Well, the United Nations General Assembly 6th Committee, the legal committee, has been working on this definition, as you said, for a very long time. I hope the definition would be reached by the membership soon. Because we need a clear definition of terrorism to be reached soon.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: Would you push for greater physical meetings? What are your plans to invite global leaders back to New York for the UN High-Level Week?&nbsp;

Abdulla Shahid: I have spoken to the secretary-general on this, I have also spoken to President about it. The secretariat and the current President are working on it. I will be consulting with them in detail again during this week. We need General Assembly to come back in some forms of meetings that are important.

Yesterday we had a session in person, 1+1, meaning in the General Assembly hall, each delegation is represented by one plus one which is a very limited number of people in the hall. Social distancing has to be followed, wearing of the mask has to be followed.

Under these difficult circumstances, we would want the general assembly to be functioning, but we cannot afford the general assembly to be a supercluster. So all precautions will be taken, but we must have some form of the high-level week this year.

Sidhant Sibal: Any signature events that you want to do as the President of the General Assembly?

Abdulla Shahid: I will be meeting my core team, I will be meeting them before my travel back to the Maldives and by September, I will be able to give my detailed input.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: How do you see India's support? India had extended the support as early as November 2020?

Abdulla Shahid: Well, I thank the Indian government, the Prime Minister, the foreign minister and the foreign secretary for the outstanding support for Maldives candidature. They were very kind, and I think India recognised the important role a country like the Maldives can play on the international stage, especially as the President of the General Assembly. I am also grateful to many-many other countries, who have so kindly expressed their support and continued backing me during the campaign.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: After a long time a South Asian has reached this&nbsp;post, so how will it increase the positioning of South Asia?

Abdulla Shahid: As you said, it has been a while since a South Asian diplomat has presided over the General Assembly, it is indeed a great honour for me and I will try my best to keep the high level of diplomats that South Asia has created.

In his first-ever interview since his massive victory for the post of President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has listed dealing with the Covid crisis, UN reforms among his five key priorities.

In his first-ever interview since his massive victory for the post of President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has listed dealing with the Covid crisis, UN reforms among his five key priorities. Shahid received 143 votes at UNGA during Monday's voting, far higher than the 96 votes required, with his one-year tenure all set to begin from this September. Speaking to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal from New York, Shahid said, "We need to make sure we provide vaccines to all". He hoped that a 'common definition' would be reached by the membership when it comes to the issue of terrorism as envisaged under the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). India has proposed CCIT in 1996 which calls for a common definition on the issue of terrorism, but it continues to languish due to a lack of consensus. Shahid thanked India for the support of his candidature saying, "India recognised important role a country like the Maldives can play in the international stage". India had backed his candidature, with the announcement being first made during India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla's Maldives visit in November. During the visit of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to the Maldives in February, India reiterated its continued backing for the Maldives FM's candidature. Sidhant Sibal: Your reaction after being elected for the post of president of United Nations General Assembly? Abdulla Shahid: I am deeply humbled by this election. I am also at the same time a proud Maldivian today. This is a great honour for the Maldivian people, for the nation. The Maldives is a small country, but we have been responsible and committed member of the United Nations for the last 55 years. We became the member of the United Nations three months after we became independent. And I think this election has clearly shown that the current President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's foreign policy is well-respected and received by the international community. It is indeed a great honour for the Maldives. Sidhant Sibal: You got more than 140 votes at the United Nations General Assembly, what does it show? And how has the process been? Abdulla Shahid: The number of votes we received indicated how the international community has received the Maldives. The international community has received the presidency of hope that I proposed to the international community. You would know, last year has been a year of despair, death, sorrow, and pain for the entire world. I proposed the Presidency of Hope, which I promised will help us overcome these difficult times. We should be aiming to go over the hill and had proposed that together the United Nations can lead this effort. I believe the membership was also eager to take on this presidency of hope and give it to their constituents, the citizens of the world. Sidhant Sibal: The Presidency of hope has five-point agenda. If you can list these priority areas? Abdulla Shahid: I proposed my presidency, the presidency of hope will be built on five rays of hope. The first ray of hope is recovering from COVID-19, it is going to dominate the international agenda for several years to come, but we need to concentrate on three main points. Number 1 is a clear pathway in dealing with COVID-19, with the ultimate aim of eradicating it. Number 2 is vaccine equity, no one is safe until everyone is safe. We need to make sure we provide vaccines to all. Number 3 is dealing with the economic impact it has created on all our country. My second ray of hope is rebuilding sustainably. We started the new decade with the launching of the decade of action, but the pandemic has really dampened the decade of action and now we have to start, reset the clock, and restart building back better, building back greener, and stronger and I believe we can do it. We need to reset the clock and put into the recovery phase and make it into a decade of recovery as well. The third ray of hope of my presidency would be responding to the needs of the planet, both Sidhant, you and me, everyone, here we can feel and see our mother earth planet in pain. We need to address it. The pandemic once again has taken focus again from climate-related issues, but these are not the issues we can put on the backburner. We need to start addressing it now, many major conferences coming now. COP26 is coming, the oceans conference is coming up, the COP15 on biodiversity is coming up, and the energy summit is coming up. All these conferences are going to create momentum which I am proposing United Nations General Assembly should harness and turn into action. Fourth ray of hope I am proposing is, respect the rights of all, human rights have to be the centre of all developmental issues and all issues. I believe, United Nations Human Rights Commission, and Human Rights Council, and the United Nations General Assembly should together be conscious of the international community on human rights issues. We should prioritise such issues like issues of gender-based violence, violence against children, gender parity. We need to prioritise youth-related issues. These are the issues we should start addressing while respecting the rights of all. Fifth and the final ray of hope is revitalising the United Nations. UN needs to be stronger, it needs to be transparent, accountable, and it needs to be efficient to deliver to the nations. UNGA needs revitalisation. It’s a process that has been ongoing, and we need to continue with the reform of the Security Council, we need to make sure the Economic and Social Council is stronger. These are my five rays of hope, I believe that the clear vote that was cast yesterday showed that the membership wanted this presidency of hope to be there so that presidency could be built on five rays of hope. Sidhant Sibal: On the issue of terror, what will be the key focus? Especially when it comes to consensus on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, something that has been languishing since 1996 due to lack of consensus? Abdulla Shahid: Well, the United Nations General Assembly 6th Committee, the legal committee, has been working on this definition, as you said, for a very long time. I hope the definition would be reached by the membership soon. Because we need a clear definition of terrorism to be reached soon. Sidhant Sibal: Would you push for greater physical meetings? What are your plans to invite global leaders back to New York for the UN High-Level Week? Abdulla Shahid: I have spoken to the secretary-general on this, I have also spoken to President about it. The secretariat and the current President are working on it. I will be consulting with them in detail again during this week. We need General Assembly to come back in some forms of meetings that are important. Yesterday we had a session in person, 1+1, meaning in the General Assembly hall, each delegation is represented by one plus one which is a very limited number of people in the hall. Social distancing has to be followed, wearing of the mask has to be followed. Under these difficult circumstances, we would want the general assembly to be functioning, but we cannot afford the general assembly to be a supercluster. So all precautions will be taken, but we must have some form of the high-level week this year. Sidhant Sibal: Any signature events that you want to do as the President of the General Assembly? Abdulla Shahid: I will be meeting my core team, I will be meeting them before my travel back to the Maldives and by September, I will be able to give my detailed input. Sidhant Sibal: How do you see India's support? India had extended the support as early as November 2020? Abdulla Shahid: Well, I thank the Indian government, the Prime Minister, the foreign minister and the foreign secretary for the outstanding support for Maldives candidature. They were very kind, and I think India recognised the important role a country like the Maldives can play on the international stage, especially as the President of the General Assembly. I am also grateful to many-many other countries, who have so kindly expressed their support and continued backing me during the campaign. Sidhant Sibal: After a long time a South Asian has reached this post, so how will it increase the positioning of South Asia? Abdulla Shahid: As you said, it has been a while since a South Asian diplomat has presided over the General Assembly, it is indeed a great honour for me and I will try my best to keep the high level of diplomats that South Asia has created.

UN General Assembly President-elect Abdulla Shahid thanks India for support; says top focus on containing COVID-19

India has backed the candidature of Maldives Foreign Minister&nbsp;Abdulla Shahid&nbsp;for the President of United Nations General Assembly for 2021-22 period.&nbsp;

Speaking in Male, India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla Said, "We feel that the Maldives should play a more prominent role in the UN. In this context, I am happy to reiterate the commitment made by our External Affairs Minister earlier during the Virtual Meeting with Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid that India will support his candidature for Presidency of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly next year."

The post of president of UNGA is voted on a yearly basis by all the 192 members of the core UN body. Among South Asian states, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh nationals have been UNGA President in the past. Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan nationals have not UNGA president ever.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/with-focus-on-development-projects-india-maldives-to-sign-mous-discuss-covid-crisis-341840" hreflang="en">With focus on development projects, India-Maldives to sign MOUs; discuss COVID crisis</a>

The Indian Foreign Secretary explained, "With his vast diplomatic experience and leadership qualities, Foreign Minister Shahid has the best credentials to preside over the General Assembly in these tumultuous times.".

Adding, "his Presidency will also provide greater visibility to the Maldives. We are happy that his term will coincide with our membership of the United Nations Security Council for 2021-22. We look forward to working closely with the Maldives in the United Nations."

India's support to the Maldives shows New Delhi's close ties with Male. Both sides have seen increased engagement, especially with support extended by India during the COVID crisis.&nbsp;

In June, Turkish Diplomat Volkan Bozkir was elected President of the forthcoming session of the UN General Assembly. India's Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit in 1953 was the first women President of the body.

India has backed the candidature of Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid for the President of United Nations General Assembly for 2021-22 period. Speaking in Male, India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla Said, "We feel that the Maldives should play a more prominent role in the UN.

India has backed the candidature of Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid for the President of United Nations General Assembly for 2021-22 period. Speaking in Male, India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla Said, "We feel that the Maldives should play a more prominent role in the UN. In this context, I am happy to reiterate the commitment made by our External Affairs Minister earlier during the Virtual Meeting with Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid that India will support his candidature for Presidency of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly next year." The post of president of UNGA is voted on a yearly basis by all the 192 members of the core UN body. Among South Asian states, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh nationals have been UNGA President in the past. Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan nationals have not UNGA president ever. Also read: With focus on development projects, India-Maldives to sign MOUs; discuss COVID crisis The Indian Foreign Secretary explained, "With his vast diplomatic experience and leadership qualities, Foreign Minister Shahid has the best credentials to preside over the General Assembly in these tumultuous times.". Adding, "his Presidency will also provide greater visibility to the Maldives. We are happy that his term will coincide with our membership of the United Nations Security Council for 2021-22. We look forward to working closely with the Maldives in the United Nations." India's support to the Maldives shows New Delhi's close ties with Male. Both sides have seen increased engagement, especially with support extended by India during the COVID crisis. In June, Turkish Diplomat Volkan Bozkir was elected President of the forthcoming session of the UN General Assembly. India's Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit in 1953 was the first women President of the body.

India backs Maldives' Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid's candidature for UNGA president

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