Former President Gayoom: Size alone does not determine a country

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said that while a country may face unique developmental challenge due to its small size, size alone does not determine a country’s destiny.

He made this remark in his statement at the 3rd International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The former President is representing the Maldives at the conference as a special envoy of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

“With the right policies and right choices we can become our own masters who will shape our future. To do that we need to establish partnerships; meaningful partnerships and enduring partnerships. Partnerships that are defined not by more aid, but by more opportunities. Opportunities that small states could seize to help themselves and to live their dreams”, said former President Gayoom.

Highlighting the unique challenges small states face, such as climate change and environmental protection, Gayoom said that sustainable and innovative solutions remain unrealized because of the lack of international support. He noted that despite numerous pledges having been made, real progress have not yet been shown; and underscored that global CO2 emission levels continue unabated, and in turn, our fragile ecosystems face increasing threats.

The 3rd International Conference on SIDS is being heled in Apia, Samoa, from 1 to 4 September 2014.