Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla has called for a more just and equitable international system to safeguard small and vulnerable nations from the escalating impacts of conflict, inequality, and climate change.

Speaking at the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, Switzerland, held under the theme A World in Turmoil: Parliamentary Cooperation and Multilateralism for Peace, Justice and Prosperity for All, the Speaker underscored the need for a fair, rules-based global order to ensure lasting peace and prosperity.

He stressed that nations like the Maldives are often the first to experience the consequences of global instability, citing ongoing wars, widening economic disparities, and environmental degradation.

Condemning the genocide committed by Israel in Gaza, the Speaker urged legislatures worldwide to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and take urgent, coordinated action to halt the atrocities. He said the situation highlights the collapse of international justice and the failure of global cooperation to prevent inhumane acts.

The Speaker reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to multilateralism and urged greater engagement between national legislatures and international institutions to advance peace and equity.

On climate change, he identified adaptation as the Maldives’ most urgent concern, constrained by inadequate access to financing. He cited the Maldives’ Climate Emergency Act and national goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2030, calling for enhanced international support and improved climate funding for vulnerable states.

He also highlighted the role of parliamentary diplomacy in tackling shared global challenges, noting that the Maldives Parliament currently maintains over 25 Parliamentary Friendship Groups and collaborates with international bodies such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

The Speaker closed by urging parliaments around the world to strengthen collaboration with the United Nations and ensure the voices of the people are reflected in global policymaking.