UNGA prez-elect Abdulla Shahid reveals programme to train diplomats from least developed countries

The President-elect of the United Nations General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, announced a programme to train the diplomats and civil servants from Least Developed Countries. The announcement was made on International Youth Day, which was celebrated on August 12. 

Taking to Twitter, Abdulla Shahid said he intends to establish the Youth Fellowship, which would help develop the next generation of diplomats and civil servants who will be brought to New York for one year. They would be exposed to the United Nations system and make them strong advocates for multilateralism during that time. Meanwhile, the PGA-elect has requested political and financial support from member states.

However, Shahid is the first Maldivian national to hold the office of President of UNGA. He garnered whopping 143 votes in the 193-member body. The post-tenure is one year and is a prestigious one due to authority over the working of the General Assembly. The post of the UN General Assembly President rotated annually among regional groupings. The 76th session (2021-22) is the turn of the Asia-Pacific group. Maldives had announced Shahid’s candidature in December 2018 with no other candidate in the fray. 

• UNGA
• Abdulla Shahid
• Maldives
• United Nations