Mauritian Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 26, 2026, emphasizing that his nation's sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago is "non-negotiable". He cited the May 2025 agreement between Mauritius and the United Kingdom as a significant step towards completing Mauritius' decolonization process. Ramful highlighted the importance of UN resolutions, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea findings, and the International Court of Justice advisory opinion in supporting Mauritius' claim.
Ramful's speech covered various geopolitical, environmental, and developmental challenges. He prioritized the nation's international claims and global reforms using a pyramid structure. The Foreign Minister reaffirmed that Tromelin Island is an integral part of the Republic of Mauritius and called on France to engage constructively to settle the dispute. He also backed the Common African Position on UN Security Council reform, demanding additional seats for Africa and Small Island Developing States.
The Mauritian Foreign Minister expressed support for several international causes, including Palestinian self-determination and an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. He condemned illegal settlements and called for an end to violence in the region. Ramful also welcomed the ICJ advisory opinion on state climate obligations and emphasized the need to codify the principle that sea-level rise must not erase state sovereignty or legal existence.
Ramful highlighted the existential threats facing small island states, including Mauritius, which maintains an Exclusive Economic Zone spanning approximately 2.2 million square kilometers. He noted that maritime trade accounts for over 90% of the nation's primary energy imports and more than 70% of its food supply, making the country severely vulnerable to supply chain shocks.
The Foreign Minister urged international financial institutions to prioritize national vulnerability over per-capita income metrics, as concessional funds continue to shrink. He also emphasized the importance of inclusive governance in distributing technological benefits fairly. Ramful mentioned that Mauritius has launched national strategies for Artificial Intelligence and fintech with UN support.
Ramful pledged that Mauritius will maintain free, quality public healthcare while demanding affordable global access to medical technologies for future pandemic preparedness. He also labeled road safety a "silent epidemic" disproportionately impacting developing nations and called for heightened international focus on this issue.
In conclusion, Ramful asserted Mauritius' enduring faith in multilateralism at a critical juncture for the UN. He emphasized the need for collective action to address global challenges and reaffirmed Mauritius' commitment to upholding international law and promoting sustainable development.
Key points
- Mauritius' sovereignty over Chagos Archipelago is non-negotiable, according to Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful.
- Ramful emphasized the importance of UN Security Council reform and support for Palestinian self-determination.
- Mauritius is vulnerable to supply chain shocks due to its reliance on maritime trade for energy and food imports.
