The Maldives has once again reaffirmed its steadfast support for the Palestinian cause during the 2025 Conference on the Question of Jerusalem, held on Wednesday in Dakar. Representing the country, Maldives’ Permanent Representative to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Sareer, delivered a powerful statement condemning the ongoing Israeli occupation and the humanitarian crisis in Palestinian territories.
Organised jointly by the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) and the OIC, this year’s conference was held under the theme “Palestinian Oppression and Displacement in Jerusalem in the Shadow of the War: A Microcosm of the Situation Throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Sareer expressed deep concern over the escalating violence and the worsening humanitarian conditions in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. He described the occupation as a systematic campaign of displacement and dehumanisation, calling for an urgent and permanent ceasefire.
“The suffering endured by Palestinians is not only unacceptable but a clear violation of international law,” Sareer stated. “There is an urgent need for the global community to act decisively to end the occupation and support a path toward lasting peace.”
He stressed the Maldives’ enduring solidarity with the Palestinian people, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to supporting their right to self-determination, national sovereignty, and the return to their rightful homes.
The CEIRPP was established in 1975 under UN General Assembly resolution 3376, with a mandate to advocate for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. The Maldives, an active member of the OIC since 1976, has consistently voiced its support for Palestine in international forums, calling for justice and accountability amid ongoing conflict.
The Dakar conference brought together diplomats, scholars, and civil society leaders to examine the plight of Palestinians, particularly in Jerusalem, amid intensified regional hostilities. The forum served as a crucial platform to galvanise international support for a peaceful resolution and highlight the urgent need for humanitarian relief.
