Parliament approves Dhiyana as ambassador to Belgium and EU
No members voted against the nomination, with support also coming from members of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
The People's Majlis on Wednesday approved the appointment of former Attorney General Dhiyana Saeed as the Maldives' Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union (EU).
President Mohamed Muizzu submitted Dhiyana's nomination to Parliament earlier this month. The Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Relations reviewed the nomination and recommended its approval.
During Wednesday's sitting, Parliament approved the appointment with 52 votes in favour. No members voted against the nomination, with support also coming from members of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
Dhiyana was appointed Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in late April. Under the Foreign Service Act, individuals nominated for ambassadorial appointments must first hold the position of Ambassador-at-Large.
She previously served as Secretary-General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), becoming the organisation's first female Secretary-General.
Dhiyana was previously critical of the current administration but publicly supported the government during the referendum campaign held earlier this year. During the campaign, she endorsed the government's proposal to hold the country's two national elections simultaneously.
A lawyer by profession, Dhiyana holds law degrees from Australia and Japan. She served as Attorney General during the administration of former President Mohamed Nasheed and later served as Minister of Gender during the administration of former President Mohamed Waheed Hassan.
During the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, her name was submitted to Parliament for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court. However, the 19th People's Majlis approved the appointment of Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir instead.
