1 December, 2005 World AIDS Day, 1 December 2005: Message from Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon

The World AIDS Day theme this year, 'Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise', sends two strong messages to Commonwealth governments and individuals: the epidemic is far from over, and we all have a responsibility to fight this together in order to bring AIDS to an end.

Almost everywhere in the world people are affected by HIV/AIDS, but none more so than those living in the developing world. Extreme poverty has continued to breathe life into the epidemic that is crippling communities.

Commonwealth countries represent around one-third of the world's population, but carry disproportionately almost two thirds of the world's HIV/AIDS burden. Globally, the nine countries most heavily burdened by HIV/AIDS are in the Commonwealth.

Four years ago, Commonwealth members, along with other countries around the world, committed themselves to a time-bound set of targets to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS. For the first time, a global crisis had a global response.

But where are the results? To date, the targets set for 2005 have not been met. By now, 3,000,000 people living in the developing world with HIV/AIDS should have received treatment. Little progress has been made worldwide in reducing the number of new cases of HIV infection. Ninety per cent of young people should, by now, have access to the information they need to stay safe, but don't. Those with HIV/AIDS continue to suffer not only the health consequences but also a social stigma bred of ignorance, which they should not have to bear.

The Commonwealth has a responsibility to get its efforts back on target. We must renew our strategies and programmes to make them work better, especially for women and young girls. We should work harder to tackle the 'brain drain' of doctors and nurses from the developing world, which is tearing apart too many health care systems in the countries whose needs are the greatest. Above all, we want wealthy nations to honour their aid commitment of 0.7 per cent of GNP in order to provide the funding required.

The outlook is bleak. Too many people are dying of HIV/AIDS and there is not enough being done about it. Our Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors for Positive Living show us that despite living with HIV/AIDS there is hope and opportunity. The Ambassadors' message to those with HIV/AIDS in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific is that they can lead a positive life.

We must renew our efforts to accelerate our programmes and deliver with commitment, and in doing so, reverse one of the greatest human calamities of our time. Each international organisation, government, and every individual citizen must play their part in honouring our collective promise.

Source: The Commonwealth Secretarit, London

4 December, 2005 The new European Commission Ambassador to the Maldives presents his Credentials to the President

The new European Commission Ambassador to the Maldives, Mr. Julian Wilson, presenting his credentials to the President.

The new European Commission Ambassador to the Maldives, Mr. Julian Wilson, presented his Credentials to the President today.

The President congratulated Ambassador Wilson on his appointment. Noting that the European Union had been the single largest donor towards tsunami recovery and construction efforts in the Maldives, the President thanked the EU for its generous assistance at a time of great distress in the country. He also thanked the European Commission for the assistance in implementing his Agenda for Democracy, Human Rights and Reform. Briefing Ambassador Wilson on the progress of the reform agenda, the President highlighted that one of the key milestones that had been achieved under the programme was the introduction of political parties for the very first time in the country’s history. The President also said that he had invited all three political parties for consultations and dialogue and added that a coordinator had also been appointed for the all-party consultations.

Ambassador Wilson said that relations between the Commission and the Maldives was very cordial, and assured the President that he would work to forge even closer ties during his tenure as Ambassador. Ambassador Wilson assured that the European Commission would continue to assist the Maldives in implementing democratic reform in the country.

Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives

5 December, 2005 Hilton Rangali Maldives - Winner of the Best Innovative Concept outside Hotel Lodging at the 6th Hospitality Awards Ceremony 2005

The 6th Hospitality Awards Ceremony was held on November 7th, at the Hilton Paris Arc de Triomphe. Mr. Léon Bertrand, French Minister for Tourism, and Mr Paul Dubrule, Chairman of Maison de la France and co-founder of the Accor Group surrounded by nearly 600 managers and partners of the hotel industry was present at the 2005 Awards Ceremony. It was chaired by Kurt Ritter, President & CEO, of Rezidor SAS Hospitality.

This major event in the calendar of the international hotel profession is presented by the MKG Group, which is associated with the HTR Magazine. The event recognises the most pioneering initiatives, most successful projects of large hotel chains down to the most creative individual hotels.

Among the Winners of the worldwide Hospitality Awards of 2005 are:

Best Professional Development Program for junior employees:
Winner: Hilton International with Elevator Program

Best Innovative Concept outside Hotel Lodging:
Winner: Hilton Maldives Resort and Spa with the Ithaa undersea Restaurant

In addition to the Hospitality Awards, Hilton Rangali Maldives is also the Winner of the Best Hotel Worldwide in the 2005 Sunday Times Travel Magazine Readers Awards.

The High Commission of Maldives extends sincere congratulations and best wishes to the Management and the staff of the Hilton Rangali Maldives for their success.

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

“I would like to express my warm congratulations and sincere good wishes to the people of the Maldives, the members of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives and indeed to everyone contributing to the promotion of human rights in the country, on the important occasion of International Human Rights Day 2005.

The Government attaches a very high priority to the promotion and protection of human rights in the Maldives. I note that, over the past year, a number of important reform measures have been implemented in this regard, and they include the provision of statutory powers to the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives, further reforms to ensure greater independence of the judiciary and measures to enhance the protection of fundamental citizens’ rights in the country’s civil justice system. Other reform measures implemented lately have focused on strengthening the rights to freedom of speech, independence of the media and freedom of association in the country. Also, the historic decision by the People’s Majlis to endorse my request to allow for the registration and operation of political parties in the Maldives, under a provisional legal framework, has been one of the key milestones in the democratic reform agenda.

I am confident that the completion of the ongoing work to revise the Constitution would result in great advancements in the area of human rights protection in the Maldives. In my 31-point Proposals for Constitutional Amendment are proposals on strengthening fundamental rights and removing the existing gender bars on contesting for presidency. Over the past year, the Maldives has signed two important Conventions on the rights of women and children. We have also acceded to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and adopted the Optional Protocol to that Convention, as further measures to strengthen our commitment to safeguarding, promoting and protecting human rights in the country. The Government has also expressed its decision to join the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). We are seeking technical assistance in formulating the necessary legal framework to become party to these important international instruments. Both the UN Office of the High Commission for Human Rights and the Commonwealth Secretariat have assured me of their support and assistance in this matter. I also note that the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives and all political parties have been consulted on drafting the First Amendment to the Act on the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives. Furthermore, the Government has received the services of a human rights advisor commissioned by the OHCHR, in ensuring that the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives was in full compliance with the Paris Principles.

Protecting human rights would not be possible without respecting and upholding the law. Promoting justice and equality, maintaining peace and harmony, eradicating poverty and disease, and sustaining social and economic progress are also of the utmost importance in strengthening fundamental rights of peoples. The development of a vibrant civil society in the country will also no doubt catalyse the efforts to promote human rights in the Maldives.

I take this opportunity to call on Government agencies, private sector employers, political parties, NGOs and members of the general public to prioritise the promotion and protection of human rights in the Maldives.

I pray to the Almighty Allah to bless our sincere efforts to promote and protect human rights in the Maldives. May the Almighty also bestow His wisdom upon us to respect the law and the rights of other citizens.”

Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives

12 December, 2005 The visiting EU Heads of Mission Delegation call on the President

The visiting European Union Heads of Mission Delegation called on the President this afternoon.

The President thanked the EU for the close attention that it had paid to issues of importance to the Maldives, in particular for the substantial donor assistance that it had extended towards tsunami recovery efforts in the country. He also acknowledged EU’s keen interest in the progress of his Agenda for Democracy, Human Rights and Reform.

Members of Delegation inquired about reform measures that had been implemented recently, as well as those in the pipeline. The President also briefed the visiting EU Heads on the status of the overall tsunami recovery and reconstruction programme. Reiterating that, in the Maldives, the tsunami had caused greater nationwide and economic damage and destruction than in any other affected country, the President highlighted the fact that the recovery programme remained critically under-funded in certain key sectors due to the existing financing gap. In this regard, the EU Delegation assured the President that they would convey the Government’s request to their respective capitals.

Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives

16 December, 2005 Tsunami hero's life saver award

Kenneth Elmes had to grab his wife from under the water

A police officer from Kent is being honoured for his heroic efforts when the Asian tsunami struck in 2004.

Insp Kenneth Elmes, 36, from Margate, was holidaying in the Maldives when the disaster happened on Boxing Day.

He saved his wife and an elderly man from the giant waves and then helped a group of nearly 150 people through a 36-hour wait for a rescue boat.

Mr Elmes will get a National Life Saver award after a reception in Downing Street on Thursday.

He was snorkelling when he looked up to see his wife Jane running away as the tsunami approached the Velavaru island resort.

Mr Elmes followed her up the beach but they were both caught in the first wave.

He held onto his wife and they both managed to cling to a tree, with debris in the water threatening to sweep them away.

When the first waves subsided he carried an elderly holidaymaker to safety although he was unable to save the man's wife.

Mr Elmes also took on a leadership role by handing out lifejackets to other survivors and trying to keep morale up as they waited to be rescued.

Source: BBC

21 December, 2005 High Commissioner Sobir paid a courtesy call on the British High Commissioner- Designate to the Maldives & Sri Lanka, HE. Mr. Dominick John Chilcote

HE. Mr. Dominick John Chilcote

London, December 19, 2005: High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to the United Kingdom and Ambassador to European Union H.E. Mr. Hassan Sobir today called on the British High Commissioner-Designate, HE. Mr. Dominick John Chilcott, CMG. The meeting was held at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK.

Speaking of the current economic and social difficulties facing the Maldives, High Commissioner Sobir highlighted the aid shortfall in the Tsunami Recovery and Reconstruction programmes of the Maldives.

High Commissioner Sobir also briefed HE. Mr. Dominick John Chilcott on the commitment and initiatives made by the Maldivian Government to fast track the political reform agenda. High Commissioner Sobir said that the Government has appreciated the support received from British Government and the International Community for the reform agenda of the Maldives.

HE. Mr. Dominick J. Chilcott said he had the pleasure of meeting the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed during the latter’s transit in London in last September. He said he was very interested in following up the developments in the Maldives when he assumes his appointment in April 2006.

Mr. Anthony Stalk, South Asian Division at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Ms. Iruthisham Adam, First Secretary of the Maldives High Commission participated in the meeting.

READ MORE NEWS>>> 250 1 0 1 266 2 suja 1135354997 12 2005 High Commission of Maldives files Report on the wellbeing of the Maldivian detained in the Cantania detention centre in Italy High Commission of Maldives files Report on the wellbeing of the Maldivian detained in the Cantania detention centre in Italy As part of the consular service provided by the High Commission of Maldives to the Maldivians facing difficulties abroad or detained in prison, the Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Adam Hassan visited Maldivian, Mr. Ibrahim Manik Ali, who had been arrested and detained by the Italian authorities on 9 June 2004 for the offence of drug-trafficking.

Mr. Adam Hassan visited Mr. Ibrahim Manik Ali at the Catania detention centre and inquired on his wellbeing. On this visit he also clarified information on the case against Mr. Ibrahim Manik Ali.

The report filed on the consular visit has stated that Mr. Ibrahim Manik Ali’s wellbeing is believed to be satisfactory.

23 December, 2005 One year after the Asian Tsunami, large aid shortfall continues to threaten the Maldives’ recovery

Male’/Brussels, (Friday) December 23rd, 2005 - The Asian Tsunami hit the Maldives harder than any other Asian country, both economically and in terms of the percentage of landmass affected. The predicament of the Maldives has nevertheless been eclipsed by the tragic human toll of the Tsunami in other, larger affected countries and the greater exposure of these countries to the international media. The result is that the Maldives suffers from a large financing gap between what the country needs in order to recover and what has so-far been pledged. As we approach the one year anniversary of the Tsunami, this needs-reality financing gap currently stands at $113 million. This shortfall poses a major threat to the Maldives’ long-term recovery. Without urgent help, the financing gap could cause the Maldives to miss the UN’s Millennium Development Goals – goals it had previously been on target to meet.

Damage caused to the Maldives by the Tsunami

Nearly one third of the Maldives’ 300,000 inhabitants were severely affected by the Tsunami in one way or another, with 82 confirmed dead, over 1,300 injured and around 12,000 people (7% of the population) made homeless. Only nine of the 200 inhabited islands escaped flooding, and nine islands that were previously above sea level are now completely submerged and lost – the map of the Maldives will have to be redrawn. In addition, the Tsunami virtually destroyed a further 14 islands, three of which have had to be permanently abandoned.

However, it is the damage wreaked on the Maldives’ economy and environment which provides the greatest long-term concern. The tourism sector suffered the largest direct losses, with estimated damages of around $100 million - nearly a quarter of the 87 tourist resorts were damaged and had to be shut for repairs. Fishermen and farmers were also affected, as fishing fleets were damaged and farming land contaminated with salt.

Overall, the United Nations Development Programme estimates that the Tsunami set back development in the Maldives by 20 years and threw 39,000 people into poverty. Growth predictions for 2005 were accordingly revised down from 5% to 1%.

Needs

Although it is impossible to put a precise monetary value on the damage caused by the Tsunami, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the UN (in a Joint Needs Assessment published in February 2005) put the figure required to reconstruct public assets and restore lost government revenue in the Maldives at $364 million – close to 62% of the country’s GDP. The Maldives Government estimated its needs to be $374.9 million.

The Reconstruction Process

Despite these challenges, the Maldives, with the support of friends including the European Union, is making significant progress in its efforts to recover and rebuild the lives of affected citizens.

The centrepiece of the Maldives recovery efforts is its “Safe Islands Programme”, which is based on voluntary migration of island communities to larger islands with better economic opportunities and strengthened environmental resilience. It also set up a Post-Tsunami Emergency Relief and Reconstruction Project, christened ‘Recovery Plus’ (e.g. building temporary shelters, housing repair and reconstruction). The Maldives has requested that assistance from local and international donors be paid into its Tsunami Relief and Rehabilitation Fund, which it set up as a means of ensuring accountability and transparency.

International assistance

Whilst the Maldives is very grateful for the assistance it has so far received, it urges the international community not to consider the job finished but to work to address a major outstanding concern: the continued gap between what the Maldives needs to rebuild the country and what so-far has been pledged by the international community.

International aid pledged so-far falls short of what is needed to adequately fund the recovery and reconstruction effort. The ADB-World Bank-UN Joint Needs Assessment for the Maldives put the figure required to fund the recovery and reconstruction of the Maldives at $364. The Maldives Government’s own assessment estimates the amount needed to be approximately $375 million. Against this figure, the Maldives has so far received international pledges of only around $262 million, which leaves a funding gap between aid needed and aid pledged of around $113 million. As the World Bank-ADB-UN have clearly stated, “foreign financing received or pledged so far falls far short of the estimated reconstruction needs [of the Maldives]”. The Maldives therefore urgently needs more aid to be pledged.

Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives

23 December, 2005 Maldives Tsunami Financing Gap Included among EU’s 2006 Priorities

Male, (Friday) December 23rd, 2005 - As a direct result of efforts by the Maldives Government to raise international awareness about the needs-pledges financing gap threatening the country’s post-Tsunami recovery, the EU and other key members of the international community decided, December 21st, to include “addressing the reconstruction funding gap facing the Maldives” among their 2006 priority considerations.

The Asian Tsunami hit the Maldives harder than any other Asian country, both economically and in terms of the percentage of landmass affected. The predicament of the Maldives has nevertheless been eclipsed by the tragic human toll of the Tsunami in other, larger affected countries and the greater exposure of these countries to the international media. The result is that the Maldives suffers from a large financing gap between what the country needs in order to recover and what has so-far been pledged. As we approach the one year anniversary of the Tsunami, this needs-reality financing gap currently stands at $113 million. This shortfall poses a major threat to the Maldives’ long-term recovery. Without urgent help, the financing gap could cause the Maldives to miss the UN’s Millennium Development Goals – goals it had previously been on target to meet.

The Maldives Government has consequently spent the past 12 months raising international awareness of this funding gap and urging international donor to help resolve it.

As a culmination of these efforts, on 21st December the UK Presidency of the EU, following a high-level meeting of international aid donors in Brussels on 20th December (which included participants from the EU, the UN, the World Bank, major European NGOs, and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent), concluded that addressing the reconstruction funding gap facing the Maldives should be included among the 5 priority post-Tsunami considerations for the EU and the wider international community in 2006.

Speaking after this important announcement, H.E. Hassan Sobir, Maldives Ambassador to the EU, said:

“Today’s announcement is very welcome and is the culmination of twelve months of effort by the Government to draw international attention to the post-Tsunami funding gap.”

“I am confident that this international prioritisation of the Maldives’ needs will allow us to work with the international community in 2006 to bridge the potentially damaging shortfall in international aid.”

“The Asian Tsunami hit the Maldives harder than any other country and I am pleased that, with today’s announcement, the international community is recognising the continued needs of our country and is publicly stating its commitment to address the aid shortfall”.

Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives

26 December, 2005 A Solemn Meeting to observe the 1 year Anniversary of the Asian Tsunami

High Commission of Maldives in the United Kingdom will hold a Solemn Meeting today, in remembrance of the victims of last year's Tsunami disaster. 239 1 0 1 270 2 suja 1135620013 12 2005 “The Government will redouble ongoing efforts to rebuild the nation and to revive the livelihoods of tsunami victims in the Maldives”, say the President. The National Disaster Management Centre to be a permanent body from today “The Government will redouble ongoing efforts to rebuild the nation and to revive the livelihoods of tsunami victims in the Maldives”, say the President. The National Disaster Management Centre to be a permanent body from today The President today offered his assurance that, with the Grace of the Almighty Allah, the Government would redouble ongoing efforts to rebuild the nation and to revive the livelihoods of tsunami victims in the Maldives. He made the statement in his address to the nation at this morning’s Official Ceremony to mark Unity Day. The President urged the people to offer their full cooperation to the Government in this endeavour, and to work with solidarity to realize this important goal.

Recalling the spirit of national unity that was seen in the immediate aftermath of the tsunami, the President said that the fraternity, cooperation, solidarity, love and compassion that the people had displayed in offering humanitarian relief to the many thousand victims of the disaster epitomized the true principles of Islam and the very essence of Maldivian values and customs.

The President thanked the many thousand individuals, clubs and association and NGOs that offered financial and in-kind assistance to those in need of help after last year’s disaster. He noted the personal efforts of members of his Cabinet and the special envoys that he had sent to key bilateral donor countries in securing greater donor assistance towards national recovery efforts in the Maldives. He thanked all of them for their dedicated efforts. He pointed out that he had also travelled abroad and spoken at a number of forums to bridge the financing gap in the recovery programme. He added that, during these visits, he had met with leaders and senior officials to brief them on the situation in the Maldives and the urgent need for further financial assistance.

The President assured that the Government would pursue full national recovery with added vigour, and that securing further donor assistance to bridge the existing funding gap would continue to be a priority.

The President said, with the blessings of the Almighty, if the people continued to display the same levels of solidarity and fraternity that they displayed during the humanitarian relief phase of the recovery programme, full recovery from the disaster would not be very difficult to achieve.

“Friendship is a quality in the Maldivian blood. The spirit of cooperation, steadfastness on the principles of Islam and giving thanks and praise to the Almighty Allah are values in every Maldivian heart”, the President said.

In his address, the President announced that the Government had decided to make the National Disaster Management Centre into a permanent body from today. He added that the Centre would function temporarily under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence and National Security.

A minute of silence was observed across the nation at exactly 9.20 this morning, in remembrance of the compatriots who lost their lives and went missing during the tsunami.

In this morning’s ceremony, the President also laid the foundation stone of the “Solidarity Memorial” in honour of the 82 Maldivians who lost their lives in the disaster, and the 26 who are missing and presumed dead. The Monument symbolizes the tremendous spirit of national unity and solidarity that was seen in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. The foundation stone was handed to the President by Mr. Abdulla Arif of Mulaku Atoll Maduvvari, on behalf of the families of the casualties of the tsunami.

The President then viewed a model of the Monument. Information on the Monument was given by the designer of the Monument, Mr. Ibrahim Neesham. The President also met with the families of the tsunami casualties who had attended the Ceremony.

Source: The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives

26 December, 2005 Asian Tsunami disaster in 2004: One Year on…..A solemn meeting held in London in remembrance of the victims of the Asian Tsunami

A solemn meeting was held at the High Commission of the Maldives in London this afternoon to observe the One Year Anniversary of the Asian Tsunami disaster in 2004. Maldivian students and Maldivian families living in London were present at the meeting.

During the meeting, a minute of silence was observed in remembrance of those who lost their lives or went missing in the Maldives during last year’s tsunami disaster.

Speaking at the meeting, High Commissioner of Maldives to the United Kingdom, HE. Mr. Hassan Sobir expressed sorrow and sympathy for the tragic loss of the victims and the bereaved families in the Tsunami disaster. He also explained the effect of the Tsunami on the livelihood of the Maldivians and the damage wreaked on the Maldives’ economy and environment which provides the greatest long-term concern.

High Commissioner Sobir thanked the members of the Maldivian Student Association in UK, the staff High Commission and the international community for their support and assistance in the relief and recovery efforts.

“Nation’s Prayer” a song recorded by Ms. Hawwa Nasheeda was played at the meeting to recall, the deep sorrow and losses of the bereaved families in last year’s Tsunami disaster. At this meeting, Maldivian students and families in London shared their thoughts and experience on the Tsunami disaster, and the national recovery and reconstruction programme.

Meeting was concluded with the National Anthem while joining all hands - as an expression of the solidarity among the Maldivians on this National Unity Day.

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30 December, 2005 Maldives Students Association-UK to hold their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 30 December 2005

The Central Committee of the MSA-UK has announced that there Annual General Meeting will be held on 30 December 2005 in London.

This year MSA-UK is celebrating their 20th Anniversary since the establishment of the student association. Central Committee has also announced that there will also be activities to mark this occasion at the AGM.

MSA-UK has dedicated time in the AGM for the Maldivian students and their families in the United Kingdom to reflect on the tsunami which struck Maldives a year ago. MSA-UK will also be holding the elections of members to the Central Committee at today’s meeting.

The High Commission of the Republic of Maldives in the United Kingdom extends best wishes and support to the MSA-UK for a successful AGM.

High Commission would also like to take this opportunity to recall with much appreciation the “Maldives Evening” in London on 26 March 2005, which was organised by MSA-UK in association with the Maldivian High Commission in London.