Mr. President Csaba Korosi, Mr. President-elect Dennis Francis,
Excellencies, my dear colleagues, friends.
It is a great honour and privilege to have the opportunity to say a few words as we come to the end of such a wonderful programme.
7 months ago, we travelled far and made a long journey with bright and enthusiastic faces,
I hope we’ve still got that glow today.
The PGA Fellowship Programme has been an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling experience that recognises and empowers young people not only as our future but instrumental to our present day.
Mr. President, allow me first to congratulate you on a highly successful year with many remarkable achievements.
It has been my greatest honour to have served under your inspiring leadership.
Mr. President, you met with us on our very first day, and you said that we would be regarded as reinforcements to your team.
Right from the start, we knew we were valued, we knew we were trusted.
The holistic nature of this programme has given us so much exposure and opened so many avenues for us.
We have taken part in landmark GA meetings and events.
We have met with Ambassadors, seasoned diplomats, and experts within the UN community.
Perhaps, the most profound message I can take back home is that there is a oneness to humanity – there is so much unity in the diversity of our cultures.
And the true essence of this programme has been the people-to-people connections we’ve formed.
The PGA Fellowship Programme has brought 6 young diplomats from 6 beautiful countries together, creating lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and bridges across borders.
Thank you, Your Excellency Mr. President, for taking us on board and giving us this invaluable opportunity.
I would also like to thank your predecessor His Excellency Abdulla Shahid for initiating this programme and I thank President-elect His Excellency Dennis Francis for continuing the programme.
Thank you to CDC Laszlo Szoke for sharing your innate wisdom and experience with us.
Thank you DCDC Fernando Marani for always being available even while ensuring that the daily operations run smoothly.
Thank you to the exceptional team leaders and the incredible colleagues at the OPGA, you really made the office feel like a home.
Thank you to Mr. Peter Stone and Mr. Shojiro Nishimura, who have been the key facilitators of the programme.
And a very special mention goes out to Mr. Fernando de la Mora Salcedo, who has been my mentor throughout my time here.
I would like to express my gratitude to UNITAR, especially Ambassador Marco Suazo and his wonderful team for facilitating such a comprehensive training programme.
I thank our generous donors, for whom without we would not be here.
I thank Ambassador Thil, the Maldives Mission and the Ministry for their encouragement and constant support.
Finally, I would like to thank my dear family for always believing in me and for cheering me on.
Mr. President,
I have no doubt that the impact of this programme will be felt wider and will reach beyond the six of us that you have trained.
I believe that what we take home from our time here, will add value to the work we do and the results we achieve.
And in doing so, we can truly be the difference that makes the difference!
Congratulations my fellow Fellows.
I thank you all.
