President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has conveyed a message of condolence, to the Secretary-General of the United Nations His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, following the passing away of Former UN Secretary-General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

The President’s message reads as follows:

“It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing away of the former UN Secretary-General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali. At this time of grief, the Government and the people of the Maldives share in the deep loss and express our profound sympathy to his family, to the United Nations, and the Government and the people of Egypt.”

“The former Secretary General will be remembered for his exemplary service to the United Nations. In a polarized and politicized post-cold war era, Secretary General Boutros-Ghali deploying skillful diplomacy in rising above the challenges towards making the Organization relevant in the immediate aftermath of the cold war. His legacy will continue to inspire generations.”

“His visionary proposals outlined in “the Agenda for Peace” was designed to reinvigorate the UN for its fiftieth anniversary, and is still considered to be one of the best reform packages to have been put forward to the UN. The Agenda focuses on better enabling the United Nations to carry out its obligations to suppress conflict and maintain global peace more effectively, through the creation of a stand-by peacekeeping force. The Agenda also set new measures to end the lingering financial crisis faced by the United Nations.”

“As we are at a turning point of the United Nations, with its seventieth anniversary and landmark frameworks on development agreed, we have much to learn from Secretary General Boutros-Ghali’s vision and his service. And as we mourn the loss today, we dedicate ourselves to invest in the cause of peace and prosperity around the world, through building a better and more effective United Nations.”