On 28th of October 2024, H.E. Ambassador Ali Naseer Mohamed of the Republic of Maldives received Ambassador Beresford-Hill for a meeting at his Mission. The two Ambassadors discussed the history of the Order and its unique legal position in the international community. This latter subject was of great interest to Ambassador Mohamed, as the Maldives, a country comprising a group of small islands, is currently struggling with rising sea levels and potential loss of territory.
The Republic of Maldives is located off the coast of India and is the smallest country in Asia. However, it is also one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with a population of over 500,000 and a landmass of roughly 300 km2. The Population is almost entirely made up of Sunni Muslims, the last Buddhist king converting to Islam in the 12th century. After British colonial rule, the country gained independence in the 1960s and is now a republic. Ambassador Mohamed has enjoyed a long-spanning career in the Foreign Ministry of his country, being a key figure in the recovery from the 2004 tsunami that devastated much of the region.
The meeting began with Ambassador Beresford-Hill’s brief explanation of the Order of Malta and a recapitulation of its history. Ambassador Mohamed pointed out that the background of the Order leads to very interesting considerations concerning state sovereignty. He then spoke on the issue of climate justice. While his country did not plan on abandoning its islands and was already working on alternative solutions to loss of land, those countries who are most responsible for climate change still needed to take responsibility and act accordingly.
This led to a discussion about state sovereignty. Ambassador Beresford-Hill cited the Montevideo Convention, which defined a state as holding territory. Ambassador Mohamed responded that this was a regional convention, which did not apply universally. Definitions made by man were not by that virtue binding, he noted, only the law of God was. Both agreed that there is the need for a new definition of state sovereignty, considering the rising danger of states losing their territory and the restricted territorial control that many other countries were experiencing due to conflict.
The meeting explored different ideas about the best way to approach the effects of sea-level rise while also exploring opinions over the question of state sovereignty. Both parties showed interest in continuing to work towards closer ties.
