President’s UNGA trip cost MVR 2.4 million – half the cost of predecessor’s visits

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu addresses the General Debate at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States, on September 24, 2024. (Photo/President's Office)

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to New York last month to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) cost MVR 2.4 million – a figure that the President’s Office said is half the cost of similar trips by his predecessor.

President Muizzu visited the populous United States city from September 20-29, to attend the high-level week of the 79th UNGA.

The President’s Office disclosed the cost of the trip in a statement on Monday.

According to the office, the visit cost MVR 2,455,583.01.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu addresses the High-Level Meeting on Sea Level Rise in New York, United States, on September 25, 2024. (Photo/President's Office)

While the President’s Office did not disclose the details of the expenses, it did draw contrasts with the cost of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s two visits to attend the UNGA, in 2019 and 2021.

According to the President’s Office, President’s Solih’s visit to attend the UNGA from September 21-30, 2019 cost MVR 4,171,832.42, and his visit from September 18-29, 2021 cost MVR 5,349,505.88.

“Therefore, the spending by the government on this trip is significantly lower than the two previous trips,” said the President’s Office.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu (L) meets with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (R) in New York, United States, on September 22, 2024. (Photo/President's Office)

During his visit to New York, President Muizzu addressed the UNGA, and also participated in an open debate at the UN Security Council – marking the first time for a Maldivian leader of address the UN’s most powerful organ in the 59 years since the Maldives became a UN member state.

He delivered multiple statements and co-chaired several sideline events, where he highlighted key issues such as climate change, renewable energy, socioeconomic challenges, and digitalization.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu visits Google Office in New York on September 28, 2024. (Photo/President's Office)

President Muizzu also held various high-level bilateral meetings with heads of delegations to UNGA and multilateral meetings, including one with the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres.

He also met with the Maldivian community residing in New York, addressed Princeton University as part of the “Dean’s Leadership Series” at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, and visited and toured the Google office in New York.