The global COVID-19 pandemic wiped out one-third of the Maldives' economic productivity and set the nation's development back by 15 years, Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam has said.
Speaking at a meeting held on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, Iruthisham noted that the pandemic caused the loss of a third of the country's GDP in 2020, effectively reversing the developmental gains achieved over the past 15 years.
The Minister highlighted the urgent need for robust systems to provide Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with sustainable financial assistance, as well as equitable access to vaccines, medicines, and diagnostic tools.
Furthermore, she emphasised the importance of investing in healthcare human resources, technology transfer, and laboratory networks for disease monitoring.
To prepare for future pandemics, the Minister underscored that securing financial resources, ensuring integrated systems, and facilitating equitable access to essential supplies—alongside comprehensive community readiness—are vital to saving human lives.
The meeting was held under UN General Assembly Resolution 79/333. Its objective was to review the implementation progress of the "Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response" adopted in 2023.
Discussions during the session focused on identifying global progress in this field, addressing existing challenges, and building resilient healthcare systems capable of responding to diseases across the globe.
