Maldives Requests Special Emergency Session to Address Palestine-Israel Conflict

The Maldives has submitted a formal request for a special emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly to address the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Palestine.

Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid emphasised the gravity of Israel’s attacks on Palestinian civilians and children, describing them as having reached an extreme level. Consequently, the proposal for the 10th special emergency session of the General Assembly has been put forth.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

The continuous attacks by the Israeli military on innocent Palestinian civilians, especially children, have gone on for far too long.

Under President @ibusolih's guidance, with other countries, we are requesting the President of the General Assembly to resume the 10th Emergency…— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) October 23, 2023

Under UN Resolution 377, member states possess the prerogative to request such sessions, particularly when the Security Council is unable to establish peace and security.

Minister Shahid conveyed that this initiative was taken in conjunction with other nations under the guidance of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. He reiterated Maldives’ unwavering support for the rights of the Palestinian people.

Special emergency sessions of the UN General Assembly are typically convened when the Security Council is unable to arrive at a resolution on a particular issue. 

As per the 1950 resolution, the General Assembly has convened special emergency meetings on a total of 11 distinct issues. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict constitutes the 10th of these instances with the last special emergency meeting on this particular issue occurring in 2013.