Issue 1, Vol 1
1 © 2017 Foreign Service Institute of Maldives, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Male’ 20-07, Republic of Maldives [email protected] Issue 1, Vol 1
Table of Contents
Foreword 5 This Quarter in History 7 Editorial 8 Foreign Service Contributions to Economic Development 10 ‘Minex - Sosun, Minex - Sosun . . .’ 14 Foreign Policy Making in the Early Years of Independent Maldives 17 The Honest Diplomat 22 Mission in Focus 26 Small States Diplomacy 29 Small Island Developing States at the international negotiating table 33 Life of a Diplomat is Not Easy! 38 Importance of FOSIM for Maldivian Foreign Policy 42 Institutionalising the Human Rights Based Approach to Governance in the Maldives 45 Maldives – Sri Lanka Joint Commission 49
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Issue 1, Vol 1
Foreword
Mohamed Asim Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives
t gives me a great pleasure to introduce the first edition of the FOSIM Quarterly. This magazine is intended Ito serve as a platform to stimulate discussions and debate on key issues and developments in the foreign policy and diplomacy of the Maldives. It will be a reliable source of information about key aspects of the Maldives foreign policy, providing detailed accounts of events and initiatives of the Maldives, in an effort to document them for the future. The Foreign Ministry has, on many instances in the past, attempted to publish magazines and newsletters. The first was a booklet in English language, Ladies & Gentlemen: the Maldive Islands! published by the Ministry of External Affairs in 1949. The booklet contained articles, authored mainly by Prime Minister Mohamed Amin Didi, about various aspects of social life in the Maldives and the country’s history. Later the Maldives Embassy in Colombo started issuing a newsletter in the same name, that covered current affairs in the Maldives at the time, and carried a short feature article in every edition on a specific aspect of the Maldives history. The purpose was to introduce the Maldives to the outside world, because there was a dearth of
5 FOSIM Quarterly information about the country even diplomacy will benefit immensely among the diplomats accredited from the analyses and discussions in to the Maldives in Colombo. The the FOSIM Quarterly. newsletter unfortunately did not This inaugural issue contains continue for too long. Various fascinating discourse on some of attempts have been made at various the most crucial aspects of Maldives times, including two new attempts foreign policy: how the young and in the past ten years, to address the inexperienced nation shaped its need to have a publication covering foreign policy during the early days developments in the implementation following independence; some of of the foreign policy. the key challenges that the country Keeping that chequered trend in faced and continues to face, and the mind, the FOSIM Quarterly is strategies that have been adopted launched with modest ambition. in overcoming such challenges; The magazine seeks to maintain an and the key aspects of current informed conversation to provide Government’s foreign policy and insights into, and detailed analyses its implementation. This issue also of, the processes involved in policy contains perspectives and opinions making on historically significant on various aspects of diplomacy, issues in the Maldives diplomacy on the history and progress made and foreign engagement. Such by the Foreign Ministry, which I analyses and reflections will be hope will provide insights into the presented in the magazine by workings of the Ministry and its diplomats who participated in diplomats. shaping or implementing those I wish to thank the fosim Team decision, or who have systematically for the initiative in launching this studied the decisions. The idea is to magazine, and the contributors document the environment and the and the editors, for producing an context in which such decisions were extremely high quality set of articles. made with details of the processes My hope is that FOSIM Quarterly that were involved in formulating will, in the months to come, produce and implementation of the even greater quality of papers that decisions. These perspectives, I am will contribute significantly in sure, would provide for invaluable enhancing our understandings about insight, and a unique look at the some of the key events and turning international engagement of the points in the Maldives foreign Maldives. I am sure the observers policy. § and students of that Maldives
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This Quarter in History 29 March 1976
Gan handover ceremony 29 March 1976: Flanked by the British Ambassador to the Maldives, Vice President of Maldives Hon. Ali Maniku receives the handover of Gan from Group Captain W. Edwards of the Royal Air Force.
Last batch of British troops staged at British Military Airfield Staging Post at Gan in Maldives left on 29 March 1976. The day the last British troops left, was celebrated as independence day until 1979.
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Editorial
ragmatism and adaptability to change are the key concepts that characterise the Maldives foreign policy Pand diplomacy during the last five decades. The country emerged as an independent nation-state at a time when world politics was dominated by a seemingly intractable rivalry between two superpowers and the alliances they formed. The Maldives—young and inexperienced in world politics—decided not to be part of any of the groups. Instead, it tried to maintain strong ties with the leading countries, and made shifts in its foreign policy orientation, as and when demanded by the realities of regional and global politics. The willingness to adapt to changes, and at the same time, remaining true to the core principles, continues to remain a dominant feature of the country’s contemporary foreign policy. The complexities of the issues that the Maldives is required to tackle require agility and flexibility of action. Climate change, sustainable development, and a plethora of non-traditional security issues are fundamentally altering the policy landscape in countries, large and small, including the Maldives. The fact that the Maldives not only has increased its readiness in responding to these issues, but also has taken a lead role in shaping outcomes on issues, such as climate change and sustainable development, indicate the continuity of adaptability, not only in the orientation of the foreign policy, but also in the country’s diplomacy. The articles in this inaugural issue of FOSIM Quarterly give a brief snapshot of how pragmatism and adaptability have shaped decisions and developments in the Maldives foreign policy and its implementation. In this issue, President Yameen’s foreign policy is explored through the lens of building resilience, and partnerships, while a
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focused look is cast on how foreign policy could advance the economic development in the country, through building resilience. Articles on the early years of foreign policy making, following the independence of Maldives, clearly demonstrate how the young nation faced decisions, through a pragmatic approach, going where the Maldives would gain most. Small states, especially small island developing states, such as the Maldives, prioritise interests, and at the same time, determine limits to engagements, too. Given the limited resources—both financially and human—the Maldives has always adopted a very defined set of priorities in its foreign relations. These common approaches adopted by sids are explored in this issue. Central to the conduct of foreign policy, are the diplomats that implement it. As in any other service, or any other profession, the diplomats of the Maldives foreign service have had to adapt to a changing environment and changing needs of the time. The institutional mechanism set in place to conduct foreign relations of the Maldives dates back to pre-independence days; the Ministry was established in 1932 as Vuzarathul Kharijiya. Over the years, the Foreign Ministry has developed to accommodate the evolving advances in the world. Contributions in this issue that reflect on the early years of the Ministry, and the operational aspects of running and managing the Ministry, depict this reality well. The pragmatic approach that the Maldives has adopted in the last five decades has served the country well. FOSIM Quarterly will continue to document, in the coming issues, how the country navigated through the challenges. §
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Foreign Service Contributions to Economic Development
Ahmed Mohamed
he foreign policy of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, announced in January 2014, quite explicitly identifiesT the need to focus on economic diplomacy. Goal three of the foreign policy statement is focused on increasing the economic resilience of the Maldives. It states that ‘increasing the country’s economic resilience is an existential necessity of the Maldives. The business of the country’s diplomacy would, therefore, be business; business that would create jobs for Maldivians in the Maldives and help to increase wealth and prosperity of the nation’.
Ahmed Mohamed is the Ambassador of Maldives to India. Prior to which, he has served as Minister of Economic Development, and Commissioner General of Customs. Ambassador Ahmed is an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of over 26 years of public service. He is skilled in Development Planning, Team Building, Management, and Leadership. He holds a M.Sc. in Public Policy Economics from The University of Hull.
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Maldivians are indeed proud of the taxation of income derived from fact that the country has graduated international air transport; exchange from the group of least developed of information with respect to taxes; countries (ldcs). As an ldc, the and cooperation in the field of Maldives received a substantial tourism. In addition, the Maldives amount of external assistance for has also started negotiations on the implementation of development Free Trade Agreement (fta) with projects, which helped to stimulate China, and a separate fta with economic growth. Now, as a Hong Kong. The fta negotiations middle-income country (mic), the with China are at the conclusive Maldives is required to depend on stage, while the negotiations for domestically generated resources on an fta with Hong Kong has non-concessional external resources just begun. These are limited, to boost growth and expand the yet significant, developments in economy. To be able to do that, a economic diplomacy carried out ‘whole-of-Government’ approach with close collaboration between the needs to be adopted to diversify Foreign Ministry and the Economic the economy, promote trade and Ministry. investment, and mobilise financing The two Ministries have also Ahmed Mohamed for development needs. collaborated in holding the series A whole-of-Government of ‘Maldives Investment Forums’ approach is one that fosters closer in Singapore, China, and India in collaboration between various the past three consecutive years. agencies of the Government to Collaboration and partnership achieve a shared set of objectives. between the private sector and the There are encouraging signs that relevant Government agencies, this approach will be a useful especially between the Foreign policy instrument for promoting and Economic Ministries has economic diplomacy. Since been exemplary. The number of the explicit focus on economic reconnaissance visits to the Maldives diplomacy was announced as one on conclusion of these forums, of the goals of the Maldives foreign enquiries that followed on, and the policy, a number of noteworthy continuation of dialogue on projects and commercially important that were showcased in these bilateral agreements and mous forums, are positive indications of have been negotiated and signed the success of these events. between the Maldives and India on The Maldives Foreign Service has areas such as avoidance of double also seen a paradigm shift in its
11 FOSIM Quarterly diplomatic outreach in the recent avoidance of double taxation past. While members of the Service treaties, and bilateral recognition of continue to maintain, and sustain professional educational degrees to bilateral relationships, they have facilitate employment. actively engaged with Governments To fully explore these actual and of partner countries and non- potential benefits, the missions government players on the economic overseas require adequate level front. For the Foreign Service, of resources. Enhanced access to economic diplomacy is becoming an funding with an expanded room increasingly important instrument to undertake wider promotional of foreign policy. This sustained activities in line with the shift has seen both governmental economic development agenda and non-governmental actors come of the country, will increase forth with investment proposals for the effectiveness of diplomacy. the Maldives. The role of economic Similarly, the central coordination diplomacy in the Maldives, as I mechanism in the Headquarters see it, is for Maldivian diplomats also can be further strengthened to play a major role in projecting that will allow missions to be the the country’s geo-significance first movers to provide feedback, towards developing ports, maritime information, and opportunities, transport, and logistics, thereby to the Government and the lessening the sole dependency private sector. A strengthened on the tourism industry, through coordination mechanism could diversification of the economy. be pivotal in disseminating the The role of the embassy and the relevant information with missions diplomats will be more than on important development on the walking a tightrope in maintaining country’s political economy. Equally sensitive relationships. Times have important is the strengthening of changed, and the approach, and the mission’s abilities to identify role of diplomacy have changed, opportunities in the host country too. Economic diplomacy must that can potentially be explored remain at the forefront of efforts further. Economic diplomacy is a to achieve foreign policy goals. two-way street. It is not only limited Economic diplomacy influences to countries reaching out to smaller and informs bilateral, regional, and nations with ‘economic packages’, multilateral cooperation. Bilateral but also the same countries reaching economic diplomacy is responsible out to encourage Foreign Direct for strengthening trade, investment, Investments.
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Behind every decision the Maldives positive developments and the drive Government takes, lies the interest and will to keep the momentum and wellbeing of the people. The forward, perhaps this may be a President’s foreign policy and good time to initiate a review of the our goal abroad, is to work for progress made in the past, take heed the betterment of our people by from the lessons learnt, and extend expanding opportunities. The them in speeding up the realization diplomatic missions of the Maldives of the country’s foreign policy goals are a vital tool to promote, and and objectives. § indeed build, economic resilience of the Maldives. As such, while there have been
The Third Maldives Investment Forum was held in New Delhi, India in November 2016
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‘Minex - Sosun, Minex - Sosun . . .’ Reflections on diplomatic cables in the age before email and smartphone
Ahmed Sareer
inex - Sosun, Minex - Sosun, . . . do you read me . . .’ says the Ministry staff. M‘Sosun - Minex, Sosun - Minex, . . . I hear you loud and clear’, replies the Embassy staff. ‘I have four matters to convey: one that relates to a lost passport. Second, relating to the Minister’s visit. Third, about the status of the mailbag. And finally, about the letter addressed to the Speaker of the Parliament . . .’
Ahmed Sareer is the Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations, and Ambassador of Maldives to the United States of America. Having joined the Foreign Service in 1986, Sareer has served in various positions in the Ministry, including as Deputy High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Chargé d’affaires at Maldives Mission to European Union, and High Commissioner to Bangladesh. Sareer has a Bachelors Degree from University of Canberra, and a Masters Degree from Monash University, Australia.
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‘The passport in question has been was referred to as “Sosun”, which received and will be sent in the used to be the cable address of the next mailbag. Minister’s confirmed Maldives representative office in appointments list will be sent today. Colombo. The other two matters are well In fact, Colombo was, and noted down . . . The Embassy has remained until recently, Maldives three matters to convey . . .’ main gateway to the outside world. ‘Thank you . . . that’s all for today’. All the needs of the Government ‘ . . . Over and out.” were catered for, by the Embassy in Colombo, making it necessary In an age of advanced to have a reliable communication communications technology and system. smartphones, it may be difficult for the young diplomats to The New York Mission, representing imagine, that we once conducted the country’s interests at the United international communications Nations, had slightly less frequent using only a radio-telephone and a contact with hq and relied mostly logbook. on international direct dialling by telephone, known as idd, which The staff members at Headquarters was a privilege available only to a in the capital and at the Embassy selected few senior officials, because were on a duty roster to exchange of the technology’s astronomically messages at set times every day. high cost. Department heads made a list of matters to cover before going ‘on- For urgent matters, department air’, and sessions lasted roughly an heads were authorised to make calls hour. The communications were through a national switchboard diligently recorded in the log. Only operator who connected them rarely did the Foreign Minister have overseas. Both idd and operator an ‘on-air’ chat with an ambassador. calls followed a strictly observed Bad weather frequently disrupted protocol to save on charges and each transmissions. communication had to be noted on a dedicated logbook. In those days, the Maldives had only two representations abroad: hq and the Embassies had adopted Colombo and New York. The the telex, which was an advanced Ministry of Foreign Affairs, up until instrument of communication in the 1982, was known as the Ministry early 1980s, but now considered to of External Affairs, or ‘Minex’ for be a quite primitive form of texting short. The Embassy in Sri Lanka that evolved from the telegraph.
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It sent out text-based messages The working methods of the through a network of tele-printers. day were dictated by a strict Initially, telex messages were protocol: first, senior staff dictated encoded onto a hole-puncher paper the language of the diplomatic tape and read into line. Fixing typos communication, often called a required scrolling down the tape to Third Person Note ortpn ; next, find the matching hole denoting a typist prepared the document; the mistake, a laborious process that then an officer reviewed it for helped enforce good spelling! mistakes and brought it to senior The telex remained one of the staff for signature; and finally, the main modes of communication communication was then assigned between the hq and the missions to a clerk for dispatch. and was upgraded to a digital One may think that these days of telefax, and eventually, to a yore led to a more laid-back Foreign computer-based system. But the Ministry. It was different, to be real time saving advancement sure, but the rigid systems fostered was the facsimile machine, or fax, prudence, an ethic particularly capable of transmitting printed important in our line of work. and handwritten sheets and There is no question that advances even drawings or photos. As an in communications have made it indication of their importance, these possible for us to transmit critical gadgets were stored in a dedicated information in an instant, and for air-conditioned room, a privilege hq to coordinate with over a dozen that only the Minister’s office and Embassies around the world, in real meeting rooms enjoyed then. time. We cannot, and should not, try The typing-intensive, office to go back in time. But we should environment of then, required not forget the important lessons in another feature that would be discipline and patience, that are just unrecognisable today; dedicated as important today as they were in typists. At least three or four the days of ‘Minex - Sosun, Minex - typists worked together in a ‘pool’. Sosun . . .’. § They used mechanical typewriters operated by means of keys that strike a ribbon to transmit ink or carbon impressions onto paper. The typists were often flooded with piles of drafts that were triaged by a supervisor.
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Foreign Policy Making in the Early Years of Independent Maldives
Ali Naseer Mohamed
oreign policy making in the Maldives during the early years of the country’s independence was severely Fconstrained by uncertainty, lack of experience in foreign affairs, and lack of financial resources. Yet the country’s leadership at the time was endowed with an enormous reservoir of extraordinary commitment and willingness to ensure that the Maldives becomes a useful member of the family of nations. The first major foreign policy decision of the independent Maldives was to seek membership of the United Nations. Prime Minister Nasir, like in many of his domestic policies, took an ideology-free, pragmatic approach in shaping foreign policy, especially during the early days. Joining the United Nations was the immediate priority of the day. He saw the un as the most important and least expensive platform for
Dr Ali Naseer Mohamed is the Foreign Secretary of the Maldives. Having served in the Maldives Foreign Service for over 30 years, Dr Mohamed has served in various departments at many different levels including in the Department of External Resources, where he oversaw post-tsunami reconstruction efforts. He has a PhD in Diplomatic Studies from the Australian National University.
17 FOSIM Quarterly conducting the small state’s foreign letter was finalised and signed on 26 policy and for reaching out to the August 1965, exactly a month after larger international community. independence. The decision to join theun , in As instructed by the Prime Minister, fact, predated the signing of the the Representative’s Office did not independence agreement with engage with any country represented Britain on 26 July 1965. in Colombo—not even the missions The late Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi, of the permanent members of the in a discussion with me in May Security Council, the United States 2011 for a different research project, and Britain—seeking support said that Prime Minister Nasir for the Maldives application. The had already decided to seek un leaders of the new nation placed membership, when it became clear extraordinary faith in the un system that attaining full independence and expected that the application from Britain was a matter of time. of the Maldives would be assessed The Prime Minister instructed exclusively on merit. That belief, Sattar, (who at the time, was the while commendably utopian in Representative at the Maldivian many respects, had risks too, which Government Representative’s were quite apparent in the Security Office in Colombo, and head Council’s debate on the Maldives of the Maldives delegation to application. During the debate, the independence negotiations questions were raised on the ability with Britain), the day before the of the ‘very small States’ to carry out agreement was signed, to start the obligations of the un Charter. the procedural preparations for These questions also triggered the membership application. The Prime ‘mini-state debate’ that dominated Minister repeated the instruction to academic and policy discourse on Sattar immediately after signing the the United Nations for nearly a agreement, too. decade. One of the key arguments The Representative’s Office in of the debate was the assumption Colombo immediately began that micro-states, because of the preparing the expression of interest. very limited resources, will not be The initial draft of the letter was able to meaningfully participate in prepared by Sattar and forwarded international diplomacy in general, to Malé through a wireless cable. and in the activities of international The Prime Minister’s Office made organisations, in particular. certain inquiries and brought some The scepticisms stemming from the changes to make it concise. The debate did not, however, discourage
18 Issue 1, Vol 1 the Maldives from engaging with, East and West, and the differences and reaching out to, even the largest between the global South and North members of the international on international economic issues. community. It established formal The Embassy in Colombo, and diplomatic relations with Britain later, the Embassy in Washington, and Sri Lanka in July, and with would send, through wireless cables India and the United States, in directly to the Prime Minister, November 1965. The Government information for such decisions. The had taken a policy decision, Foreign Ministry started to play around the beginning of 1966, not an active role in formulating and to rush in establishing missions implementation of policy decisions overseas. Around the beginning only after a full-time Minister of 1966, the Prime Minister’s was appointed in November 1968, Office instructed the Embassy in following the establishment of the Colombo (the Representative’s Second Republic with Nasir as Office was upgraded to an Embassy President. on 12 January 1966) to make an Just a few months into the new assessment on establishing Maldives Republic, the country experienced diplomatic missions overseas. The a dramatic economic downturn Embassy identified three countries, caused by a major decline in the and analysed the costs and benefits country’s only export, fish. The of maintaining such a level of decline in Government revenue overseas representation. Unlike in forced the Maldives to scrap its many of his other decisions, the plans for diplomatic outreach, and Prime Minister took some time to closed the Embassy in Washington decide on the proposal. And finally in June 1970. Resource constrains decided, just before the delegation also prevented the Maldives from for the annual session of the sending delegations to New York to General Assembly departed Malé attend the United Nations General in 1967, to establish an Embassy in Assembly for a few years in the Washington dc, with concurrent early 1970s. The struggle that the accreditation to the United Nations Maldives faced in implementing as well. The Embassy was opened in its own modest foreign policy January 1968. agenda almost went to the extent Around the same time, the Maldives of confirming the key arguments also shaped its policies on a number that were put forward earlier against of key international issues, such the admission of small states to as the ideological divide between the un. Yet, the government’s
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‘development through self-reliance’ the Commonwealth. There was an programme of modernisation of expectation, at least on the part of the traditional industries, and the countries in the region, that one of the emergence of new industries, such as early decisions that the independent tourism, helped to increase revenue, Maldives would make, would be to which enabled the Government join the Commonwealth. Yet, Prime to reinvigorate the country’s Minister Nasir, for whom the wounds international engagement. of the bitter experience with Britain The Maldives policy preferences during the secessionist uprising in defied the theoretical propositions Addu Atoll in 1950s was too fresh, advanced by academics, such as decided not to pursue membership of Adam Watson and Maurice East, the Commonwealth. about the foreign policy behaviours The Maldives was also not part of the of newly independent small states. global South’s flagship organisation, Instead of bandwagoning with the Non-Aligned Movement (nam) the larger neighbours on key until 1976. While the Maldives international issues, the Maldives endorsed and indeed promoted, pursued a policy approach that the fundamental principles of non- pushed the country closer to the alignment, membership of nam was West, while at the same time, not as important as, say joining the un. remaining out of the Cold-War Severe resource constrains meant that rivalries. The Maldives policy on the the country had to prioritise its focus, question of China’s membership of and not to attempt to cover the entire the un, for example, was closer to field in foreign policy implementation. that of the West than the position When the Maldives wanted to join of the countries in the South Asia. nam in the early 1970s, there was, The Maldives, of course, shifted its to the Government’s surprise, some policy on China, and established reluctance to accept the idea, on formal diplomatic relations with the the part of some leading members Peoples Republic of China in 1972. of the organisation, because of the A remarkably significant decision continuation of the British air force that the Maldives took in the early base in Maldives. The British base was days of independence was not to closed in March 1976, and the Maldives join the Commonwealth. It was, was admitted to nam, at its summit in many ways, a counterintuitive held in Colombo in September of the decision; for almost every country same year. that gained independence By mid-1970s, the Maldives had from Britain till then, joined successfully introduced significant level
20 Issue 1, Vol 1 of modernisation in the country’s be reaching out bilaterally to public administration. Government individual countries for assistance agencies were required to set in in implementing development place standard operational protocols projects. Significant projects, such on various aspects of their work as development and upgrading of including the mechanisms for policy Malé airport to an international decisions. Among the qualitative one, began implementation with changes introduced to the external funding facilitated through procedural aspects of policy making diplomatic negotiations. was the requirement to undertake The Maldives has, of course, more detailed assessment of options moved a long way from the simple available for policy making. As and uncomplicated approach a result of that requirement, the of the founding leaders of the Foreign Ministry, in mid 1970s, country’s diplomacy. The processes, undertook a detailed assessment procedures, and the methods of opportunities available for the adopted in policy making were Maldives that could be explored quite practical and indeed suited the through foreign policy. Some demands of the time. Several aspects of the important decisions that of the processes have undergone stemmed from the assessment radical changes, while some of the included the Maldives joining key techniques and approaches still international organisations, such continue to this day. Among them as the International Monetary is prioritising, or what is commonly Fund (1978), the World Bank referred to in the literature as, niche (1978), and the Organization diplomacy. During the last five of Islamic Cooperation (1976). decades, the Maldives has always With that, the Maldives also made selected, strategically identified few observable shifts in its foreign policy areas to focus, and tries to maximise orientation. The shift was a change gains in those areas. Above all, in the direction towards seeking continuity is most visible in the foreign aid for development projects. commitments that the Maldives Until then, the Government relied continues to demonstrate in working almost exclusively on the United with its international friends and Nations development agencies for partners in crafting common external development assistance solutions to common challenges. § to complement national efforts. The Maldives, in its statement to the un General Assembly in 1977, indicated that it would
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The Honest Diplomat
Jeffrey Salim Waheed
pioneer diplomat, Sir Henry Wotton, commented in the seventeenth century that ‘an Ambassador is an honestA gentleman sent to lie abroad for the good of his country’. Referring to a diplomat as a gentleman, at least in those times, have all the connotations of higher education, distinction, and nobility of character. Maldivian diplomats today embody the best of what our nation has to offer. We are committed, and dedicated women and men with a passion for both our nation and its success in the global community. We are dedicated to the notion that while we may be small, so is today’s interconnected world, and that
Jeffrey Salim Waheed is the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations at Geneva, prior to which, he served as the Deputy in New York. He has also worked in the private sector, civil society, news media and on political campaigns prior to joining the Foreign Service. He has degrees from Stanford and Columbia Universities in International Relations, Political Science and Communications.
22 Issue 1, Vol 1 our place in it is one that transcends wide availability of the positions traditional North and South, we take, the trials we face, and developed and developing divides. insight into the decisions we make. As we carve out a place for ourselves Nonetheless, the nature of the world in the community of nations, we today has also lent weight to the realise that our strength is not value of informal networks and soft based in institutional prowess, or in diplomacy. relying upon post-cold war political Formal communications between groupings, or in taking positions nations and diplomats are guided on every issue affecting the world by custom and traditions dating today. Rather, it is through being back centuries. Our sense of honest brokers, mediators, and propriety rightly interferes with reliable counterparts to both our our ability to formally address the host nations and our colleagues accusations of fanatics given voice from around the world, all the while through new media. However, the representing the interests of our hostile narrative that those voices nation. create must be addressed and One of the most important assets even countered, lest the actions of the modern-day diplomat is taken by states be filtered through the social currency that the person misconstrued perceptions, leading possesses. While some things have to concerns expressed only through not changed since the 1600s, the innuendo and suspicion. nature of diplomacy surely has. The role of informal networks Neither Wotton, nor the scores in diplomacy ensures that the of diplomats who have succeeded cacophony of social media is him in the following years, have given a lens by which diplomats had to deal with the age of instant can alleviate the fears of their media, let alone Facebook, Twitter, counterparts. This relationship is Telegram and Snapchat. Even one that can only exist when there the most flippant unsubstantiated is trust and camaraderie. When remark can be captured, distributed, a diplomat has portrayed herself and cause the loss of credibility. as sincere and genuine, and when Today, the line between the that portrayal is accepted and professional and the personal lives reciprocated by others. of diplomats has been blurred. I will tell you of one benign The proliferation of social and incident. When accredited to new media has resulted in the Washington DC, a senior diplomat
23 FOSIM Quarterly at the State Department called small island developing State, where me, as many times before and our interests are inherently aligned many times after this incident, and with the world’s most vulnerable, asked about a tweet in Dhivehi and where our conceptions of mentioning submarines and the development, progress, security, name of another country. I clarified and sovereignty must be inherently the article merely spoke of a world holistic. We stand at crossroads, news story, not a local one, about literally and figuratively, with our a submarine being spotted in the strength and opportunity being Arabian Gulf. In a 30-second derived from the role we play in conversation, the snowball was the greater context of the global stopped from rolling down the community. hill, from gaining momentum and When we, as diplomats, represent reaching destinations unknown. principled positions, when we argue Informal networks help stop the for the greatest good, and for the snowball from rolling down the hill, creation of a global governance whether it is a moment of paranoia framework that honours the global or an issue of national security, commitment to ensure no one is left but only when there is trust. The behind, we touch our colleagues in character reflected in the personal a way that is both memorable and life of a diplomat, especially in our even inspirational. We win them relations with issues of national to our side and build confidence concern, directly correlates to the in the relationships we foster. We strength of our networks. However, open the door to honestly engage, to have no opinion at all, on either not just as agents of our nations, the issues at home or in the world but also as brothers-in-arms for around us, may be a far greater sin. a common good. Foreign Service That we are not immune, especially Officers the world over exist in a to the challenges faced in the world third culture that lends itself to a around us, lends us credibility bond readily employed if genuinely in the positions we take and in sought out. The mutually reinforcing who we are as diplomats. That we nature of this relationship, built on base those positions off principles trust, allows diplomats the leeway to enshrined in our Constitution engage beyond the latest headline and in embodiment of the values and find the commonalities in the of our society make personal our long-term goals and priorities of arguments, so that passion need not their respective nations. Whether be faked. We are lucky to represent a jointly engaged in efforts to save
24 Issue 1, Vol 1 the world or embroiled in a state of the answers we provide must be contest, keeping all channels open sincere, coherent, and of value to the requires integrity and character, colleagues with whom we engage. which is more easily lost today than Maldivian diplomats embody the ever before. best of what our nation has to offer So, we must acknowledge that the and when that quality is allowed to old adage that Foreign Service shine through, diplomatic congress Officers are professional liars is but the natural extensions of who is antiquated and its adherents we are. threaten to do more damage to In the defence of the interests of one’s national position than those our nation, we must be honest, good executing any other misconception human beings; for at the end of the about the Foreign Service. day, character is the most valuable Diplomatic answers should not be social currency. And liars have none. a euphemism for dishonesty, nor § should diplomacy be reduced to the blind defence of the amoral. Instead,
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Mission in Focus
Embassy of the Maldives in Germany
s we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the MaldivesA and Germany and opening of an Embassy in Berlin on 15 August 2016 is a significant milestone. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Asim officially opened the Embassy on 28 September 2016. Such a momentous anniversary year not only provides us with the opportunity to view our relationship with Germany through the lens of history but more importantly provides us the opportunity to set the tone and direction of our relationship to come. During the past 50 years of formal diplomatic relations, both countries have maintained strong and friendly relations with each other, sharing parallel views and interests on a number of international issues, such as climate change. However, we believe that there is scope for so much more. The partnership between Germany and the Maldives has enormous potential and we strongly believe that our partnership could be further expanded and consolidated in the coming years.
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At the formal opening of the Maldives, particularly in the field of Embassy, Foreign Minister Asim tourism. Germany has always been highlighted the close bilateral a key tourism market, with tourist relations that existed between arrivals amongst the highest from the Maldives and Germany, and Europe. The German travel market stated that a permanent presence in continues to remain strong and Berlin will go a long way to further robust for the Maldives with nearly strengthening relations between 60,000 German tourists arriving so not only the governments but also far this year - an increase of more the peoples of the Maldives and than ten per cent over the same Germany. Minister Asim expressed period last year. We anticipate that hope that the partnership between total arrivals will exceed 110,000 this year. Our collaboration is not limited to the arrival of German nationals as tourists. In fact, hundreds of German nationals are employed both directly and indirectly in the tourism sector. Additionally, the quality and quantity of economic and trade links between Germany and the Maldives has increased in recent years. German companies have made over 150 million the Maldives and Germany could be Euros worth of investments in the further expanded and consolidated Maldives in the last four years alone. in the coming years. Over 10 million Euros worth of The bilateral partnership has goods are exported from Maldives witnessed tremendous progress to Germany, with over 35 million to date, particularly in the Euros of goods imported from socioeconomic sphere. Since Germany to Maldives last year graduation from ldc status, the On 9 March 2017, the Ambassador- Maldives has been striving for major Designate of the Maldives to economic development and social Germany, Jameela Ali Khalid progress. To this end, we are grateful presented her Letter of Credence for the immense contribution to the German President Joachim Germany has made towards Gauck, in an official ceremony economic development in the at Schloss Bellevue. President
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Gauck congratulated Ambassador work with the German government Jameela and discussed working would to establish a vfs Office in closely with the Maldives, to Male’ to process Schengen Visas for strengthen diplomatic relations Maldivians travelling to Europe. and co-operation between the two The presentation of credentials countries. Ambassador Jameela ceremony was attended by Minister- highlighted that Germany has Counsellor, Shiruzimath Sameer always been a key tourism market and, Second Secretary Hussain for the Maldives, with tourist Jahhaz of the Embassy. § arrivals amongst the highest from Europe and expressed hope that the number of tourists visiting the Maldives will increase in the coming years. Ambassador Jameela also noted that one of the main areas of focus for the Embassy to
28 Issue 1, Vol 1
Small States Diplomacy
Ahmed Shiaan
mall states have traditionally been considered as weak or vulnerable entities with little economic or political Sinfluence. In fact, this can be traced way back, before the birth of the modern nation state. Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War highlights the weakness of smaller states vis-à-vis larger, more powerful ones. Through the account of the Melian Dialogue between Athens and the Melians, Thucydides shows us what happens when the perceived vital interests of a larger power and small state directly collide. The Athenians remind the Melians that, ‘right—as the world goes—is only in question between equals in power, meanwhile, the strong
Ahmed Shiaan is the Ambassador of Maldives to Belgium and the European Union, as well as Non-Resident Ambassador of Maldives to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Netherlands and Luxembourg. Having joined the Maldives Foreign Service in 1996, he has served in a range of positions at the Ministry and Director of the Foreign Service Institute of Maldives. Shiaan holds a Bachelors Degree from Bangalore University and a Masters Degree from Heidelberg University, Germany.
29 FOSIM Quarterly do what they can, and the weak a particular set of interests at the suffer what they must.’ un. The Security Council, instead, Small states, and especially the proposed the category of ‘associate micro-states, have always existed membership’ for micro-states, which side by side with larger states. would give them limited voting and Although the scope for the voices participatory rights. of small states has been limited, The issue of full membership for the creation of the United Nations, the Maldives was finally resolved following the end of the Second when the un Legal Committee World War, gave smaller states an gave an advisory opinion based on opportunity to operate at an equal the principle of ‘sovereign equality’, footing within the un system, at which was enshrined in the un least, on principle. Yet it was the Charter. Thus, it was the principle admittance of the Maldives in 1965, of ‘sovereign equality’ that enabled that raised questions about the micro-states, such as the Maldives, viability of these ‘very small States’ to become members of the to be full members of the world international states-system. body. Today, small states have more to When Maldives applied to become offer for the global policy agenda a member of the un, the country than ever before. Small size should was initially rebuffed for being too no longer be considered a weakness. small. The reasons for the hesitancy Rather, it is a defining strength of could be many. The five permanent our society that allows these states members of the Security Council to see the world, and their place had their own reasons and fears in it, in a uniquely valuable way. based on vested interest, not to open Fifty-two years after the admittance the floodgates for the micro-states of Maldives to the un, small states to become full-fledged members. are a major constituency in that France and the United Kingdom organisation, becoming increasingly were worried that their colonies in assertive and influential. Small the Pacific, the Caribbean, and Asia, states are recognised for bringing would immediately independence. unique perspectives to multilateral For the uk and France, it was conference tables; a perspective maintaining and safeguarding their defined by attachment to the values colonial interests. The United States, of multilateralism, cooperation, on the other hand, was concerned consensus, and a rules-based that the Soviet Union could use the approach. new states for proxies for advancing
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In today’s fast changing globalised norms, and whose credibility abroad world, small states continue to face is reinforced by their values and significant challenges in achieving policies. This is practically applicable their foreign policy objectives. These to both small and large states alike, challenges can be neatly packaged but for the former, it requires the into two main areas. First, small transformation of political size and states generally lack the visibility an intense trial of communitarian in the foreign public and struggle will. Therefore, many small states, to put themselves on the radar of including the Maldives, have international attention. Second, developed different tactics to address small states’ Foreign Ministries and these constraints. missions are much smaller than First, small states have chosen their larger counterparts; the costs of cooperation and burden sharing. engagement are relatively higher for This means ‘clubbing together’ small states; their access to insider within regional and likeminded information is more limited, and networks, realising that by combining they often face capacity problems resourcing, expertise and intelligence, in filtering and processing the vast they are stronger together than alone. quantities of information they receive. Small states also face the Second, small states tend to pick the enormous challenge of attending right ‘battles to fight’. That is carefully to some of the most complex prioritising issues and long-term issues that define the twenty-first strategic planning. No one state can century international politics, like solve everything, but by targeting transnational organised crimes, and championing issues that matter health endemics, and terrorism, that to them, and where they can bring are beyond the capacity of any one something truly valuable to the table, state to overcome on its own. As small states can punch above their a result, small states have adopted weight. some innovative approaches in their Third, small states have adopted diplomacy in order to counter the innovation. That means investing in resource constrains they face. skilled and experienced personnel, As Joseph Nye argues, states that people who can bring game- are likely to be more attractive in changing ideas and valuable hands postmodern international relations on experience to the international are those that help to frame issues. operations of small states. States whose culture and ideas are Small States may face challenges, closer to prevailing international particularly related to their
31 FOSIM Quarterly vulnerability and lack of resources. military power, diplomacy is the Yet they also possess many unique main tool available to defend strengths that, when applied in a national interests and manoeuvre concerted and dedicated manner, political influence, and the only can help not only to solve their means through which small own problems, but also problems of states can make an impact in the global importance. international system. At the same Small states have one very time, it is not necessarily the size of significant comparative advantage. one’s territory, economy or military Their small size usually means power that determines what a much greater ease of internal nation can offer to the international consultation, and much greater community. openness and flexibility. Knowledge Small states do not want to be and judgement are less often locked defined only by their vulnerabilities. up in competitive bureaucratic Their influence on the global stage silos. It often also means that the is determined not by their size, but relationships between the political by their ability to achieve consensus leadership and the diplomats in the through peaceful means. These states field are much more direct. Though can work together for shared causes, short of finances and power in the and team up with other nations to conventional term, small states have address common challenges, and be no shortage of smart ideas. Another part of the solution. Smallness is a advantage that small states have, state of mind. and can be used effectively, is the The influence of smaller states role of an honest broker. That is, is limited only by their own unlike major powers, who might be actions; their own ambition; their distrusted for hidden agendas, small own vision. These states should states are not seen as a threat to not approach the tasks that face others. them today with any sense of An old Maldivian proverb states, inferiority. The right combination of Bodu dhe geri thalhanya kah galah confidence, conviction, and realism baaru kuraane. Which means, yields the best results. Alone micro- when two influential families fight, states might be weak, but united everyone in the island gets trampled. they can move mountains. § It is true that avoiding being trampled has long been the foreign policy of small states. Without sufficient political, economic or
32 Issue 1, Vol 1
Small Island Developing States at the international negotiating table How do they do it?
Mariyam Midhfa Naeem
rom 2015-2016 as lead negotiator for sustainable developmentunder the chairmanship of the Maldives, FI led the Alliance of Small Island States (aosis) – a lobby group comprising of 39 Member States, of which 37 are un members – in the negotiations on sustainable development. That period saw the adoption of several landmark agreements on sustainable development. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction was adopted in March 2015, followed by the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development in July 2015. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which contains
Mariyam Midhfa Naeem is Director at the Foreign Service Institute of Maldives. Having joined the Foreign Service in 2007, she has served primarily in Multilateral Affairs Department, with her last posting as Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Maldives to the United Nations, in New York. Midhfa has a Masters in Public Policy from the National University of Singapore, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Warwick.
33 FOSIM Quarterly the seventeen Sustainable and developing countries, but to also Development Goals, was adopted address those inequalities within in September 2015, after three developing countries. Hence, four years of negotiations, culminating sub-groups were identified: least in a new development discourse, developed countries (ldcs), the and a new development paradigm landlocked developing countries for the international community (lldcs), the ‘most seriously affected for the next fifteen years. The first countries’, and what was then called outcome document negotiated post- developing island countries (dics). 2030 Agenda was the new agenda While momentum was generated for urbanisation, the New Urban on the ldcs and the lldcs track, Agenda in October 2016. Through the dics failed to garner much all these negotiations, Small Island attention. In reports submitted Developing States, known as sids to the un General Assembly, at the United Nations, overcame member states stressed that they enormous hurdles and achieved did not recognise developing island much. countries as a category. A change Small states, and in particular in nomenclature in early 1980s to sids, have a long history in the Island Developing Countries (idcs) international system. Since the did not make much of a difference induction of Maldives to the either. United Nations in 1965, the world’s The 1990s saw the emergence of the smallest have endeavoured to fight discourse on global environmental on an equal footing on the world protection. With it, rose the favour stage. of the island countries. The new Sids, as a category, first received discourse on environmentally attention within the framework sustainable development heralded of the un Conference on Trade a new chapter in the relationship and Development, held in 1964 between developed and developing as a forum to consider trade countries, with the recognition and and economic relations between acceptance of the ‘common but developing and developed countries. differentiated responsibilities’ of the During the discussions on the developed North to the developing New International Economic South. And small island states found Order (nieo) in 1970s through to a niche, and became, for the first 1980s, it was widely believed that time, active and indeed, influential it was not enough to correct the participants. The activism of small inequalities between the developed island states themselves prepared the
34 Issue 1, Vol 1 ground for renewed focus on small the creation of aosis signalled that island states. sids were not going to rely solely on One of the first acts of activism the goodwill of others to champion was the Small States Conference their cause; they would take matters on Sea-Level Rise held in the into their own hands. Maldives in November 1989. The Since then, all the sids at the un, Malé Declaration adopted at the engage in international negotiations Conference was a seminal document on climate change and sustainable in the effort to address climate development issues, through change, noting that: aosis, which has also emerged In light of the scientific consensus as a formidable actor in such regarding the likelihood of climate negotiations. It has given stronger change and global warming and deeply voice, credibility, and legitimacy to concerned over the changing global the concerns of sids. This collective environment and its possible adverse effects, particularly the threat of sea level collaboration is how small countries, rise, the Small Island States gathered here which seem insignificant and declare their intent to work, collaborate vulnerable, have made their voices and seek international cooperation to heard. protect the low-lying small coastal and island States of the world from the The renewed focus onsids also dangers posed by climate change, global stemmed from the fact that sids warming and sea level rise. found their niche. In the early The Declaration also formed the years of aosis, it managed to push basis for the island states of the through several important elements world to work together, cooperate, in the un Framework Convention and coordinate on matters that on Climate Change (unfccc), such affect them. It paved way for the as the references to the particular birth of the aosis, at the Second vulnerability and specific needs and World Climate Conference in 1990. concerns of small island countries, and countries with low-lying coastal The creation of aosis has been areas. Building on this momentum, described as ‘one of the potentially aosis was able to put the concern of most important developments sids, high on the agenda of the Rio in international environmental Conference on Environment and diplomacy of the decade’. Aosis Development held in 1992. Indeed, would go on to become the the Agenda 21—the political moral voice for climate action action program resulting from the and environmentally sustainable 1992 Rio Conference—recognised development. But more importantly, sids as a ‘special case for both
35 FOSIM Quarterly environment and development’, the United Nations. while dedicating a programme area This limited scope enabledsids to on the ‘Sustainable Development focus its energy and its limited human of Small Islands’. The Agenda 21 and financial resources. Coordination also included the call for a global within aosis countries at the United conference on the sustainable Nations is achieved primarily through development of sids, which was close consultations on the action areas held in 1994 in Barbados. A identified in the three Programme of subsequent follow-up meeting was Action for the sustainable development held in Mauritius in 2005, and of sids on mainly, development related another Conference in 2014 in issues. Practically speaking, this meant Samoa. that Permanent Missions of sids at the Throughout its history,sids have United Nations which, on average, are ‘stayed on message’. The first on the smaller side, can make sure their programme of action focused on voices are heard on issues that matter fifteen key action areas, among the most to them. Thus, the smaller you them climate change and sea level are, the more you tend to prioritise. rise, natural disasters, tourism Nationally, the Maldives has done the resources, national institutions and same. At any given year, there are over administrative capacity, and human 300 agenda items on the un General resource development. These action Assembly’s programme of work. Yet, areas remain concerns and are the Maldives chooses around 40 items reflected in thesids Accelerated to focus on and follow thoroughly. It Modalities of Action (samoa) is not because the Maldives does not Pathway, adopted in 2014, which care about the other issues, but that is the most recent blueprint for the delegation cannot practically cover sustainable development of sids. the entire field. This prioritisation has In recent years, sids have expanded brought additional benefits tosids their advocacy to include the delegations. On some issues, sids concerns around oceans and seas, have become the standard-bearer. an issue intimately connected to For example, at negotiations for any the lives and livelihoods of their language on climate change, the sids people. It was sids advocacy, for will be in the room. And they will be instance, that led to a standalone consulted. Focusing on limited but goal on oceans and seas within important issues, have allowed sids to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable specialise and thus increase their value. Development, and later a dedicated Conference on oceans and seas at At any given time, the biggest criticism
36 Issue 1, Vol 1 of the United Nations, is that, My time at the United Nations despite it being a universal, equal was filled with some of the forum where size and might should most fulfilling and eye-opening not matter, it still very much experiences of my career. What I remains a ‘big boys club’. Decisions discovered was that to succeed, sids are often made through what is delegations needed to be united, known as ‘hotel-room diplomacy’: smart, knowledgeable, focused, private meetings that happen and informed and included in all outside the formal negotiations, discussions. One without the other in hotel rooms, restaurants, and did not seem to work either. There the halls and delegates lounges of was definite power in numbers! the United Nations. Compromise Especially when things got a little language is often worked through difficult. And they always got over coffee, or lunch, or during a difficult! ‘fresh air’ break. It is often said that Small states, like the Maldives, before the negotiation starts, some joined the United Nations in droves, people in the room would already following independence, because it know how it would end. Therefore, provided legitimacy. And because for any given diplomat, at any given it gave a boost to their credibility time, it is important to be in, rather as viable and valuable states. And than out ,of these little ‘friends’ it is through unity, that sids will groups. And for sids, it is more continue to have an equal seat at the important than anyone else. international negotiating table, for Sids delegations are small, and the years to come. § therefore time is limited. Yet, the hours spent socialising and building a network of contacts undoubtedly will result in gaining access and information that would be useful. Generating goodwill and good relationships is of utmost importance if sids delegations wanted to be in the know. Smart coalitions with larger powers and blending quiet day-to-day diplomacy with public advocacy, works favourably towards sids delegations at the United Nations.
37 FOSIM Quarterly
Life of a Diplomat is Not Easy!
Ahmed Saleem
uring the past five decades since our independence from Britain in 1965, enormous changes and Ddevelopments have taken place economically, socially, and of course, politically. These changes have compelled us to change our mindset, the way we govern ourselves, and also, in the way we conduct and live our lives. One fundamental area, which must develop itself more and be harmonious with our present day needs obviously is a strong Maldivian Foreign Service–one that is capable of building on the foundations of merit and free from the
Ahmed Saleem is the Ambassador of Maldives to Pakistan and Non-Resident Ambassador to Nepal. Prior to being appointed Ambassador, Saleem served as the eleventh Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, and President of the Human Rights Commission of Maldives from 2007-2010.He was also the first Director from Maldives to SAARC Secretariat from 1900-1993. He joined the Maldives Foreign Service in 1968, and served over a span of 26 years, serving in various capacities in the Ministry.
38 Issue 1, Vol 1 claws of patronage. Such a Service scratch with countless difficulties. will possess the capacity to meet the One of the most challenging tasks new and unfolding challenges in the was the non-availability of the region and beyond, in protecting and kind of people who could shoulder preserving our national interests. It the huge responsibilities that a will also protect and build on the new small nation had to endure in numerous accomplishments we have facing a complex world that was had in the area of international and controlled by two super powers; us regional affairs since independence. and ussr. The Maldives had just a I doubt if there is another small handful of people with familiarity state like the Maldives that can in international or regional affairs. really boast its foreign policy They were those very few, who achievements like we can, despite were involved in the negotiations the many challenges and hurdles that led to the independence of the we had to face, with limited and Maldives and played an active and meagre resources and hardly key role under the guidance of the anyone to help us. Needless to say then President Ibrahim Nasir, the that the Maldives was one of the architect of our independence. first three small states (along with There were enormous challenges Singapore and Gambia) to join un in creating a cadre which could be in September 1965 and succeeded. called a ‘foreign service’, as neither That, too, at a time when some the Government nor anyone else members of the Security Council really understood the magnitude were quite suspicious of the ability of the responsibilities accorded to of small states to carry out their a viable ‘foreign service’, which in responsibilities as full fledged turn, had to play a major role for members of the world body. us to stand on our own feet as an When the Maldives became independent small state with its independent, the country lacked own foreign policy. I still remember experienced diplomats to carry out very clearly the discussions that took the implementation of the foreign place in 1979, almost immediately policy. The ‘Protecting’ Britain after President Gayoom took was in control of the country’s office, about the imperative need foreign relations. Even though a for such a law. It is, in many ways strong and robust ‘foreign service’ I believe, a tragedy, that we still do was the most important need of not have a ‘Foreign Service Act’, the hour, we hardly had any, and that is indispensable to establishing naturally, had to build one from a viable Foreign Service. I believe
39 FOSIM Quarterly that the scope and complexity better. of the Ministry have heightened Positive changes in this regard were several folds, increasing the need initiated in 2005, when for the first for a professional ‘foreign service’ time, our diplomats were given that can truly serve the ‘foreign living allowances and other benefits affairs’ interests of the Maldives in for them to be able to live with their an integrated manner. Only such families. With that, an additional a law can provide for a resource of mission was also established in qualified personnel and take care of New Delhi, in addition to the many other aspects of those serving other missions already in Colombo, as diplomats. I hope I will live to London, and New York. see the day such a law is enacted— hopefully in the near future. I feel that the establishment of the Foreign Service Institute of Although we have sixteen missions Maldives (fosim), a few years ago in different parts of the world is a significant step in the right today, the only mission we had direction as well. Fosim has a until independence was the one crucial role to play in training our in Colombo. Our diplomats young diplomats to be effective and were posted alone, and our living efficient, and ready to play their conditions, and the facilities role in national development. The available to us then, compared to importance of a training institute what they are now, were very basic, in the Foreign Ministry was also to say the least. I can remember highlighted in one of the articles I the rough time I had to endure in wrote way back in 2006. my first posting as an Immigration Attaché in Colombo, in 1972. Life of a true diplomat is not an easy The mission had about six staff one, and one must not expect it to members, and the chancery building be. While it should be considered an was our office as well as our home. honour to represent one’s country as Two or three of us would also share a diplomat, one should never forget one room. It was almost impossible that it is an immense responsibility, to live with the meagre allowances and that the diplomat carries we were given and we had to request a massive burden in projecting our family back in the Maldives to the image of his or her country. support ourselves. I remember we Members of the Maldivian Foreign had to ask our parents or spouses to Service, who are real representatives send us Maldive fish, which played of the State, are well informed a helpful role in making our lives and well versed in the principles,
40 Issue 1, Vol 1 history, and culture of the Maldives, and aware of current concerns, and trends, in Maldivian life. What diplomats must constantly remember is that he or she is a true reflection of his or her country. And that, in addition to the humbleness and modesty of a diplomat, respecting others is the most important quality a true diplomat must possess if he or she expects to be respected. §
Ministry of Foriegn Affairs celebrated International Mother Language Day 2017 with a guest lecture by Ms. Naseema Mohamed and poetry recitation.
41 FOSIM Quarterly
Importance of FOSIM for Maldivian Foreign Policy
Ahmed Hassan Didi
he President of the Maldives established the Foreign Service Institute of the Maldives, known as ‘fosim’, in JanuaryT 2014. Fosim seeks to develop the necessary training and skills tailored specifically for the implementation of the Maldives foreign policy. In fact, one of the goals of the Maldives foreign policy is to develop a cadre of professional diplomats capable of advancing the interests of the Maldives in a complex world. Fosim has been mandated to formulate the curriculums for the specialised trainings also to carryout the trainings for both the in-house and the new entrants to the foreign service. Another important objective
Ahmed Hassan Didi currently overseas the work of FOSIM. He specializes in strategic planning and undertakes management consultancy and training. Having joined the Government in 1986, he has worked in various public sector institutions such as the Civil Service Commission as Vice Chairman, and as Permanent Secretary at the President’s Office. He is a visiting lecturer at several universities and Colleges. He holds a Masters Degree in Public Sector Management and a Bachelors degree in Public Administration.
42 Issue 1, Vol 1
of fosim is to act as the in-house amongst government institutions think tank for the foreign service, about the foreign relations of the undertaking policy relevant research Maldives, which would in turn on key issues as required. shape our engagement with the Conducting specialised training international community. for the foreign service officers is In addition to courses it conducts one of the most important aspects and the researches it carries out, developing a cadre of professional fosim is also reaching out to diplomats, envisaged in the Foreign other institutions in the country, Service Bill, that is currently including schools. The idea is to debated in the Parliament. The have an informed dialogue with Bill provides for creating a cadre the students, particularly about the that has the necessary talents and potential opportunities available in skills for undertaking the Maldives the foreign service, as the students diplomacy to create opportunities begin to start thinking about their for the development of the country professional career. Fosim also in various international forums, and intends to reach out to a wide lot more. Fosim’s role in delivering variety of stakeholders to inform Ahmed Hassan Didi on the provisions of the Bill would their views about the foreign service, be significant, helping to stimulate as well as foreign policy making. debate, and create awareness Career based training is one of
43 FOSIM Quarterly the core functions for fosim in further enhance and enrich the work its quest to create a professional of fosim. foreign service cadre. Its focus is to Currently the Maldives has sixteen ensure that a specific skill-set that missions abroad, working to achieve is required for every foreign service the foreign policy objectives. And officer at every level is identified, we continue to become more active and people are trained accordingly. in the field on several issues of This maybe a challenging task global significance. More diplomats but the aim is to fulfil this task in would need to be trained in the the near future, so that in years to field to take on these responsibilities come, our foreign service will have and drive the country forward. diplomats with the right skill set, to There is greater need to invest in be innovative in making decisions human capital, to best implement and solving problems. the goals of the foreign policy. And Fosim would become an fosim stands ready to take on the important source for information challenge. § dissemination and also a forum for discussion on the work of the Foreign Ministry. Through the FOSIM Quarterly, and other forms of publications, fosim plans to introduce more effective outreach programs. We are looking forward to organise more lectures, discussions, seminars and interactive forums on foreign policy and international relations, by professionals who have served and are serving. These forums would, in the future, not only cater to our diplomatic service, but hopefully to the wider public. They would not only generate awareness about our policies, but also help to shape policy through stakeholder engagement. Collaboration arrangements with other teaching institutions in the country will
44 Issue 1, Vol 1
Institutionalising the Human Rights Based Approach to Governance in the Maldives
Aishath Hassan
everal unprecedented sets of issues and challenges are plaguing the world today. These issues range from Senvironmental degradation, inter-state conflict, and civil war, to terrorism and the growing inequality between ‘the haves’ and ‘have nots’. Such challenges steered the world to seek new solutions for addressing the dire state of the world. We are constantly seeking new models of development, which best address, the age-old problems as well as the
Aishath Hassan joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in November 2014 as Senior under- Secretary. She started her career in 1999 as a teacher. At the Ministry, she has worked in the Foreign Relations Department and at present works in FOSIM, providing oversight and assistance for the development of training programs.
45 FOSIM Quarterly new and emerging challenges. The Right to Development advances unending quest for hope towards the right to development beyond achieving our shared goals of peace, economic development in that it is: progress and prosperity can only be An inalienable human right, by virtue realised through shifting the focus of which every human person and all of development from economic peoples are entitled to participate in, gain, to ‘people centered’ models of contribute to and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development in development – one which focuses which all human rights and fundamental on the advancement of people, freedoms can be fully achieved. and promotes and protects the fundamental rights of all. The Maldives has been a passionate advocate for human rights and Human Rights Based Approaches fundamental freedoms, more so (hrba) focuses on achieving with its election to the Human development, through the full Rights Council in 2010. It has realisation of human rights and spearheaded important initiatives fundamental freedoms. The essence including concerted efforts towards of a ‘Rights Based Approach’ the inclusion of a human rights rests with the idea of the ‘Right dimension to global climate to Development’, which in turn change - the Male’ Declaration on is rooted in the provisions of the the Human Dimension of Global United Nations Charter and the Climate Change in 2007 is still Universal Declaration on Human regarded as an important initiative Rights. The ‘Right to Development’ of the Maldives. The same activism was proclaimed in the 1986 World has been translated into its progress Conference on Human Rights, with at the domestic front. The Maldives the 1993 Conference adopting the has achieved remarkable progress Vienna Declaration and Programme in introducing the human rights of Action. The realisation of legal framework for protecting the right to development is its citizens, and in cultivating a dependent on the full observance conducive environment for the of economic, social, cultural, realisation of human rights. civil, and political rights. Viewed through this perspective the right to Yet, we have some ways to go in development embodies the several the promotion and protection of dimensions of development, with human rights. One approach to sustainable development and human ensure the full realisation of rights development at its core. Article 1 for all is to seek progressive ways of the 1986 un Declaration on the and means for institutionalising hrba into its development policies
46 Issue 1, Vol 1 and programme implementation. is committed to the advancement Such a transition becomes more and welfare of Maldivians. The relevant at a time when the country Maldives has introduced universal strives to incorporate and harmonise health insurance, which provides of the Sustainable Development affordable and accessible healthcare Goals into its national development for all, irrespective of their socio- framework. The 2030 Agenda economic background. In addition for Sustainable Development, to this, the continued strengthening which includes the seventeen of legal and social protection goals, has established inextricable afforded to vulnerable groups linkages between ‘human rights’ including the elderly, women, and ‘sustainable development’, children, youth and persons with establishing that sustainable disabilities, proves that the country development can be viable only has made significant progress in its when human rights, democracy, and social development. Strengthening social justice are considered as cross the capacity of the institutions cutting dimensions of development. to deliver on the necessary social Mainstreaming human rights values protections, while also empowering into governance is essential to the vulnerable groups, through addressing corruption, improving their participation in the decision transparency and accountability in making and implementation of governance, strengthening judicial targeted policies will go a long systems and enhancing the universal way in delivering more inclusive social protection system. In all these development. The principles of facets of development, the values equality and non-discrimination of human rights, including a focus need to further enhanced and on people centred development, ensured. participation, inclusion, equity Today, when state institutions and non-discrimination, must be and non-state actors have incorporated both as a means and often established direct foreign an end. Thus, the incorporation of contacts, what is the role of the rights based approaches in designing foreign service to deliver on a our policies on commercial and human-rights based approach economic sectors, is necessary. to development? One may argue Mainstreaming rights based that Foreign Ministries mostly approaches into social welfare devote its resources and time only policies is all the more important, on international issues and does at a time when the Government not overburden itself with social
47 FOSIM Quarterly and cultural issues. Yet, Foreign Only through this advocacy can the Ministries can, and should, continue promise of development be realised to play an essential role in the for all. § promotion of the national interest of the country. Thus, in advancing the objectives of the foreign policy of the country, much emphasis needs to be placed on the protection and promotion of human rights for all, equality and non-discrimination in its engagements on behalf of the country, in the international arena.
48 Issue 1, Vol 1
Maldives – Sri Lanka Joint Commission
The Maldives and Sri Lanka have a long history of close relations even before the independence of Maldives. On 26 July 1965 when the Maldives became an independent country, one of the first countries that the Maldives established diplomatic relations was Sri Lanka. The establishment of diplomatic relations paved way to enhance the traditional people-to-people contacts and civilizational links to collaboration in areas of mutual interest to both countries. Today we recognized that the bilateral relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka have reached new heights under the leadership of President, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, and President, Maithiripala Sirisena. In 1984, the Maldives and Sri Lanka signed the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation, whereby five
49 FOSIM Quarterly sessions of the Joint Commission and community issues, and human on Economic and Technical resource development cooperation Cooperation were held. The first between the two Foreign Ministries. session was held in 1986 in the Furthermore, cooperation in the area Maldives, second in 1988 in of social protection was introduced Sri Lanka, third in 1991 in the by Maldives. This Session also saw Maldives and fourth in 1995 in the exchange of views on regional Sri Lanka. Subsequently, both and international issues including countries agreed that the name of cooperation on counter terrorism the Joint Commission on Economic and violent extremism. and Technical Cooperation will Notably, it was agreed to constitute be changed to Joint Commission a Joint Working Group on Trade, only; hence the “First Session of work through the Joint Task the Maldives – Sri Lanka Joint Force on Tourism, and to finalise Commission” was held in 2006 in a new cultural programme under the Maldives. the existing bilateral Agreement. Following a seven-year gap, Further it was also agreed to the Second Session of the Joint establish cooperation and support Commission was held in 2014 in in the area of training social services Sri Lanka; And the most recently workers, and in area of providing the Third Session of the Joint technical and specialised expertise Commission was held in the for persons with disabilities. Maldives from 8 – 9 February 2017. The Ministerial and official level In this last session Dr. Mohamed interactions, complementing Asim, Minister of Foreign Affairs engagement at the Heads of State led the Maldivian delegation, and level are a manifestation of the Mr. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister importance placed by the two of Foreign Affairs led the Sri countries on advancing the Lankan delegation. relations. § At the Third Session, both the Foreign Ministers deliberated on a wide range of issues of mutual importance where particular emphasis was given to further enhancing economic, education, tourism, fisheries, health, and legal and law enforcement cooperation. Discussions also ensued on consular
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