H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maldives
The Honourable Abdulla Shahid started his career as a Foreign Service officer in the Maldives Foreign Ministry in 1983. He rose rapidly through the lower and middle management levels to the senior management level, becoming the Director of the International Organizations and Conferences Department.
Impressed by his many skills, talents and administrative capabilities, he was appointed the Executive Secretary to the President of the Maldives (Chief of Staff) in 1995.That he held the post for over 10 years reflects the degree of distinction and diligence of his service. His rise gained further momentum in mid-2005 when he was appointed the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and, just two years later, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The appointment occurred at a time of sweeping political change in the country following the introduction of a new democratic constitution.
He streamlined the work of the Foreign Ministry and widened the diplomatic reach of the Maldives by opening up new resident diplomatic missions. Praised by many at home and abroad, his efforts enhanced the image of the country despite formidable challenges and a hostile external environment. He vigorously advocates human rights, rights of the Parliamentarians, and measures to halt global warming and climate change. He attended numerous meetings of the UN, the Commonwealth, and the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, the SAARC and the Non-aligned Movement at times as a member and often as the head of the Maldives delegation.
His entry into politics dates back to his appointment as a Member of the President to the Constitutional Assembly in 1994 and to the People’s Majlis the following year. He was elected MP for the Vaavu Atoll constituency in 2000 which seat he retained in the 2005 parliamentary elections. Subsequently, he contested in the first multi-party parliamentary elections in 2009 and secured the seat for Keyodhoo constituency. In the parliamentary elections in 2014, he succeeded in winning a seat from Male’, the capital of the Maldives. In recognition of his skills in leadership, oratory, diplomacy and sagacity, he was elected Speaker of the People’s Majlis on 29 May 2009, creating history as the first ever elected Speaker. He earned the admiration of MPs by skillfully steering the work of the Majlis amid vigorous and not seldom rancorous debates while protecting and promoting the rights and privileges of MPs and the legislature. Hon. Shahid’s association with the Inter-Parliamentary Union began with his parliamentary career. He has attended numerous IPU meetings and events and remains keen to continue his relationship with the IPU.
Having rendered invaluable services to his country for more than 30 years, The Honourable Abdulla Shahid is now seeking the opportunity to work for and transfer his experience and expertise to the Presidency of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. He holds a Masters degree in international relations from the famous Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Boston, USA. He completed his undergraduate degree in politics and economics at the Canberra College of Advanced Education, Canberra, Australia. He is currently the President of the Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians Conference. In addition, he holds membership in the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Earlier he also held the membership of the Standing Committee of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding officers Conference.
Born in Male’ in May 1962, he is married with 3 children, 2 sons and a daughter.