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 Gayyoom
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 Mohammed Waheed Hassan Abdulla Yameen
Preceded by	Mohamed Shihab
Succeeded by	Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed
Member of Parliament
In office 28 May 2014 – 14 November 2018
Constituency	Henveiru Uthuru
Member of Parliament for Keyodhoo constituency
In office 28 May 2009 – 28 May 2014
President’s Member to the Special Majlis
President’s Member to the People’s Majlis
Vaavu Atoll Member to the Special Majlis
Executive Secretary to the President
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 politician from the Maldives. He made history by becoming the first Maldivian to serve as the President of the United Nations General Assembly. This important role lasted from 2021 to 2022. He has also been the Minister of Foreign Affairs for his country. Currently, he is the president of the Maldivian Democratic Party.

Early Life and Education

Abdulla Shahid started his career in 1984 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He studied political science and earned his bachelor's degree in 1987 from the Canberra College of Advanced Education in Australia. Later, in 1991, he earned 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

Shahid has held many important positions in the Maldives government. He has played a big part in helping the Maldives become a democracy.

Speaker of Parliament

From 2009 to 2014, Shahid was the Speaker of the People’s Majlis, which is like the parliament of the Maldives. He was elected to this role on 28 May 2009, winning a clear majority of votes. As Speaker, he helped guide the country through its shift to a democratic system in 2008. He also served as a member of parliament for the Henveiru Uthuru area.

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

Before becoming Speaker, Shahid worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for many years. He became a director in 1993. In this role, he represented the Maldives at many international meetings. These included gatherings at the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Organization of Islamic Conference.

Member of Parliament

In 2000, Shahid was elected to represent the Vaavu Atoll area in parliament. He served two terms as the member for this atoll. He also helped draft the new Constitution of the Maldives between 2004 and 2008. In May 2009, during the first multi-party elections in the Maldives, he won the Keyodhoo Constituency.

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Shahid served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2007 to 2008 under President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. He had previously been appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in 2005. In 2013, he joined the Maldivian Democratic Party, after leaving his previous party. He served again as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2018 to 2023.

UN General Assembly President

On 7 June 2021, Abdulla Shahid was chosen as the 76th President of the United Nations General Assembly. He won with a large number of votes, showing strong international support. This was a very important global role.

Maldivian Democratic Party President

After the previous president of the Maldivian Democratic Party, Mohamed Nasheed, stepped down, Abdulla Shahid applied for the position. Since he was the only person to apply, he became the new president of the party.

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