UN General Assembly
2013

freedom and peace. The Maldives, along with other States, has been calling for the reform of the Security Council to make it more inclusive, and thereby more credible and reflective of the voices of not only the powerful but also the weak, and more representative of the global population and its geographic distribution. In addition to the Council’s composition, its working methods must also be improved — only then can the United Nations restore its credibility, authority and legitimacy. Global challenges are of significant importance to the Maldives. The situation in the Middle East is particularly close to the hearts of Maldivians. We are appalled at the human cost of the conflict in Syria. The use of chemical weapons at any time, by anyone, and for whatever purpose must not be tolerated. In that regard, the Maldives welcomes Security Council resolution 2118 (2013), on the destruction of the chemical weapons in Syria, which was adopted unanimously. The Council’s decision will, we hope, take us a step closer to ending the atrocities taking place there as we speak. Violence