The Maldives has been designated as a co-chair for the Commonwealth’s Ministerial Meeting on Small States (CMMSS), scheduled to take place in 2026. This decision was announced during the ongoing Ministerial Meeting of Small States, which precedes the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) currently being held in Apia, Samoa.
The Maldives will co-chair the CMMSS alongside the host nation of CHOGM in 2026. In this capacity, the Maldives aims to further its advocacy efforts for the interests of Small States, reinforcing its commitment to championing the causes of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on the global stage.
During the CMMSS meetings, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdulla Khaleel engaged with his counterparts from other Small States, addressing pressing issues such as economic vulnerability, climate action, and access to finance. Dr. Khaleel emphasized the urgent need for financial reforms to tackle the unique challenges faced by Small States.
He called for stronger commitments to climate finance ahead of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), stressing the necessity for enhanced access to financial resources and solutions for debt sustainability. The Minister also highlighted initiatives like the SIDS Debt Sustainability Support Service and underscored the importance of economic diversification for the long-term resilience of small states.
The Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States serves as a critical forum for Foreign Ministers from the Commonwealth to collaborate and forge partnerships aimed at promoting resilience and sustainable development among small states. This year's meeting is co-chaired by Samoa, as the host country, and Eswatini.
The Maldives will co-chair the CMMSS alongside the host nation of CHOGM in 2026. In this capacity, the Maldives aims to further its advocacy efforts for the interests of Small States, reinforcing its commitment to championing the causes of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on the global stage.
During the CMMSS meetings, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdulla Khaleel engaged with his counterparts from other Small States, addressing pressing issues such as economic vulnerability, climate action, and access to finance. Dr. Khaleel emphasized the urgent need for financial reforms to tackle the unique challenges faced by Small States.
He called for stronger commitments to climate finance ahead of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), stressing the necessity for enhanced access to financial resources and solutions for debt sustainability. The Minister also highlighted initiatives like the SIDS Debt Sustainability Support Service and underscored the importance of economic diversification for the long-term resilience of small states.
The Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States serves as a critical forum for Foreign Ministers from the Commonwealth to collaborate and forge partnerships aimed at promoting resilience and sustainable development among small states. This year's meeting is co-chaired by Samoa, as the host country, and Eswatini.
