Abdulla Shahid facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Abdulla Shahid NIIV
ޢަބްދުﷲ ޝާހިދު
Shahid in 2023
President of the 76th UN General Assembly
In office 14 September 2021 – 13 September 2022
Preceded by	Volkan Bozkır
Succeeded by	Csaba Kőrösi
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 17 November 2018 – 17 November 2023
President	Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Preceded by	Mohamed Asim
Succeeded by	Moosa Zameer
In office 23 August 2007 – 11 November 2008
President	Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Preceded by	Ahmed Shaheed
Succeeded by	Ahmed Shaheed
16th Speaker of the People's Majlis
In office 28 May 2009 – 28 May 2014
President	Mohamed Nasheed Mohamed Waheed Hassan Abdulla Yameen
Preceded by	Mohamed Shihab
Succeeded by	Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed
Member of Parliament
In office 28 May 2014 – 14 November 2018
Preceded by	Constituency established
Constituency	Henveiru Uthuru
In office 28 May 2009 – 28 May 2014
Succeeded by	Moosa Nizar Ibrahim
Constituency	Keyodhoo
President of the Maldivian Democratic Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 20 February 2024
Preceded by	Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Personal details
Born	(1962-05-26) 26 May 1962 (age 63) Malé, Sultanate of the Maldives
Political party	Maldivian Democratic Party(2013–present)
Other political affiliations	Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (before 2013)
Children	3
Parents	Maimoona Wajeeh Moosa Jameel
Alma mater	Canberra College of Advanced Education, Australia Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, USA
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Abdulla Shahid (born 26 May 1962) is a well-known politician and diplomat from the Maldives. He is currently the president of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). He also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Maldives from 2018 to 2023.

From 2021 to 2022, Abdulla Shahid held a very important role as the President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly. He was the first person from the Maldives to be chosen for this position. Throughout his career, which spans over 40 years, he has held many senior roles in the government and parliament. He is recognized for his work in international diplomacy and helping to improve democracy in the Maldives.

Early Life and Education

Abdulla Shahid began his career in 1984 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He studied political science and earned his bachelor's degree from the Canberra College of Advanced Education in Australia in 1987. Later, in 1991, he received a master's degree in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in the USA. From 1990 to 1994, he was an advisor to President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Political Career Highlights

Starting in Diplomacy

Shahid started his journey in the Maldives' foreign service. He moved up the ranks in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, becoming a director in 1993. He was in charge of the International Organizations and Conferences Department. He represented the Maldives at many global meetings, including those at the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Serving in Parliament

In 2000, Shahid was elected to the People's Majlis, which is the parliament of the Maldives. He served two terms as a Member of Parliament (MP). Between 2004 and 2008, he helped write the new Constitution of the Maldives.

In May 2009, he was elected again to represent the Keyodhoo area. This was during the first multi-party elections in the Maldives. In the same month, he was chosen as the 16th Speaker of the People's Majlis. He held this important role from 2009 to 2014. As Speaker, he led the parliament during a time of big changes for democracy in the country. From 2014 to 2018, he continued to serve as an MP for the Henveiru Uthuru area.

Shahid meets with U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo in Washington, D.C. (20 February 2019).

Minister of Foreign Affairs Role

Abdulla Shahid has served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs twice. His first time was from 2007 to 2008 under President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Before that, he was the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs starting in 2005.

He returned to the Foreign Ministry in 2018 under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and served until 2023. During this time, he worked to reconnect the Maldives with international organizations. He also focused on climate change issues and helped the Maldives rejoin the Commonwealth. In 2013, he joined the Maldivian Democratic Party because he believed in their goals for democratic reform.

Leading the UN General Assembly

On 7 June 2021, Abdulla Shahid was elected as the President of the 76th United Nations General Assembly. He received 143 votes from the 193 member countries. During his time as President, he focused on helping the world recover after the COVID-19 pandemic. He also worked on climate action and improving cooperation between countries.

President of the Maldivian Democratic Party

In February 2024, Abdulla Shahid became the president of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). This is the largest political party in the Maldives. He was the only candidate nominated, showing that many in the party supported him. As president, he has been working to strengthen democratic values and unite the party.

Awards and Honours

•  Maldives:
  • Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin - 2021
•  Dominican Republic:
  • Grand Cross with Silver Breast Star of the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella - 2022
•  Guatemala:
  • Grand Cross of the Order of Antonio José de Irisarri - 2022

See also

In Spanish: Abdulla Shahid para niños