President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has urged the international community to ensure that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are more actively included in global decision-making processes, as he addressed the SCO Plus Meeting held today in Tianjin, China.

In his statement, President Dr Muizzu described the Maldives as a resilient and forward-looking nation, underlining its longstanding friendship with China and its commitment to tackling global challenges. He highlighted two key priorities of his Administration: the Maldives’ ambitious climate action agenda and the “Maldives 2.0” digitalisation drive, which he said would transform the country’s economy and governance.

The President also voiced support for the Global Governance Initiative (GCI) unveiled at the meeting by Chinese President Xi Jinping, noting that the framework provides new opportunities to strengthen cooperation, development, and governance at the international level.

Alongside calls for fairer representation of small states, President Dr Muizzu reiterated the Maldives’ unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people, urging world leaders to stand together in advocating for their rights and freedoms.

The SCO Plus Meeting, hosted at the Tianjin Meijiang Convention Centre, served as an expanded dialogue platform, bringing together SCO member states, partner nations, and international organisations. The session opened with remarks from President Xi, who emphasised the importance of advancing regional peace, stability, and prosperity through the SCO, while introducing the GCI as the latest in a series of initiatives aimed at reshaping global cooperation.