United Nations in Maldives

The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.

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Publication

30 March 2026

UN Maldives Annual Results Report 2025

The UN Maldives Annual Results Report 2025 outlines how the UN Country Team worked alongside the Government and partners to advance the SDGs amid fiscal constraints, climate vulnerabilities, and demographic shifts. It highlights key achievements across development, climate resilience, governance, and social sectors, while reflecting on lessons learned and areas requiring accelerated action.As 2026 marks the final year of the current Cooperation Framework, preparations are underway for the next UNSDCF 2027–2031, aligned with the Maldives’ new 20‑year National Development Plan. The report reaffirms the UN’s role as a trusted partner in supporting a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable Maldives.

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Press Release

24 August 2026

Government of Maldives and United Nations Sign the New Cooperation Framework to Advance Sustainable Development

Malé, Maldives – 24 August 2026. The Government of the Republic of Maldives and the United Nations today signed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2027–2031, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing sustainable, inclusive and resilient development for the people of the Maldives.The Cooperation Framework was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Her Excellency Iruthisham Adam on behalf of the Government of the Maldives and United Nations Resident Coordinator Hao Zhang on behalf of the United Nations. The ceremony was attended by senior Government officials and heads of United Nations entities.The Cooperation Framework is the highest-level strategic planning and implementation framework of the United Nations at the country level. Serving as the blueprint for the United Nations Development System's collective support to the Maldives, it outlines shared priorities and coordinated actions to help advance national development priorities and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) over the next five years.The new Cooperation Framework was developed through an extensive and inclusive consultative process involving Government institutions, United Nations entities, development partners, civil society, academia, the private sector and other stakeholders. It reflects a shared vision for addressing the Maldives' evolving development priorities while ensuring that no one is left behind.As an Upper Middle-Income Country and a Small Island Developing State, the Maldives faces unique opportunities and challenges. Through the new Cooperation Framework, the United Nations will continue to provide integrated policy advice, strengthen evidence-based decision-making, support institutional and human capacity development, and foster strategic partnerships that help deliver sustainable and lasting development outcomes.The Cooperation Framework builds on the longstanding partnership between the Government of Maldives and the United Nations and reinforces the UN's commitment to supporting nationally led development. Guided by the principles of human rights, gender equality, sustainability, resilience and accountability, it provides a shared roadmap for collective action towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of Foreign Affairs Her Excellency Iruthisham Adam stated that the signing of the UNSDCF 2027–2031 symbolises a shared commitment to shaping a prosperous and resilient future for the Maldives. She noted that the support provided through the United Nations is grounded in His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu, President of Maldives, vision for a fully developed Maldives by 2040. She called for partnerships that support the Maldives in mobilising sustainable financing, lasting technology, and expertise, and to invest in its people, strengthen institutions, enhance resilience, and expand State and productive capacity. She emphasised that the success of the Framework must be measured by the tangible and positive changes it brings to the lives of the Maldivian people.United Nations Resident Coordinator Hao Zhang underscored that the signing marks the beginning of a new phase of implementation. He highlighted the broad and inclusive consultation process that shaped the Framework and reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to working with the Government and partners to translate its priorities into meaningful results for the people of the Maldives. With 16 United Nations entities working together under the Framework, he emphasised the importance of delivering coordinated, effective and impactful support to the Maldives over the next five years.Implementation of the Cooperation Framework will be carried out jointly by the Government of Maldives and the United Nations through 16 UN agencies, funds and programmes, namely, FAO, IFAD, ILO, IOM, UNDP, UNDRR, UNEP, ESCAP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UN-Habitat, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNODC and WHO that are signatory to the framework. A governance mechanism will be established to ensure strategic oversight, regular review of progress and continued alignment with national priorities throughout the 2027–2031 period.The signing marks an important milestone in the enduring partnership between the Government of Maldives and the United Nations. As the world enters the final years of the 2030 Agenda, the new Cooperation Framework provides a renewed platform for working together to build a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future for all people in the Maldives.MEDIA CONTACTMinistry of Foreign Affairs
Aishath Rifga Mohamed
Chief General Service Officer
iocd@foreign.gov.mv, publicaffairs@foreign.gov.mv
+9603323400

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24 September 2026

More than a screen: what it means to grow up in the digital age in Maldives

A blog by Yania Hussain Ishan, 18, UNICEF Maldives' Youth Reference Group member24 September 2026I don’t remember the exact moment the internet became an important part of my life. Maybe that is because, for me, it never really felt like something I entered. It was just simply there.When I was younger, I mostly used the internet for entertainment and learning. I watched movies, searched for information and relied on Google to learn new things. I never imagined that the same internet I used as a research tool would eventually become one of the places where I found my voice.Today, the digital world is part of almost everything I do. I use it to learn, communicate, discover opportunities, connect with people and participate in causes I care about. Many of the opportunities that shaped my journey as a young advocate began with something as simple as seeing a post online. A forum led to a conversation. A conversation led to a new connection. A new connection led to an opportunity I might never have found otherwise.For young people in Maldives, this kind of connectivity can mean even more.We live across hundreds of islands, and physical distance can determine whether someone gets to attend an event, meet other young people or access an opportunity. Digital spaces have helped make some of those distances smaller. A young person on one island can collaborate with someone on another, participate in a national consultation, attend an international webinar or find a community of people who share their interests without having to leave home.The internet has not replaced our communities. In many ways, it has helped us build communities across distances.But being connected does not automatically mean being heard.Social media has made it easier for young people to speak for themselves. We can share information, discuss issues and bring attention to things that matter to us without waiting for someone else to give us a platform. For me, discovering young people who were already involved in advocacy was part of what made me believe that I could participate too.However, having a platform and having a voice are not the same thing. A post can educate someone. It can make someone stop and think. It can introduce a person to an issue they had never considered before. But meaningful participation goes beyond that. It requires listening, learning, questioning, collaborating and, eventually, doing something with what we know.This is especially important when we talk about the opportunities available to young people. We are often encouraged to participate, but meaningful youth participation cannot end with simply putting a young person on a panel or inviting them into a room. Young people need to know that their contributions have been genuinely considered and, where possible, reflected in decisions.The digital world has given us more ways to speak. Now we need to make sure those voices actually have somewhere to go. Being connected isn’t the same as being preparedAnd that brings me to something I think we don’t talk about enough: being connected is not the same as being prepared.Young people are expected to navigate an increasingly complicated online world, but are we always taught how to do that?We need to know how to recognise misinformation, question sources, protect our privacy, identify harmful content and understand what we are actually consuming. Digital literacy cannot simply mean knowing how to operate a device. It also has to include knowing how to think critically about the information we encounter through it, particularly when that information relates to issues that directly affects our lives.Growing up in Maldives, environmental issues are not distant ideas. We see changes in our oceans, weather and coastlines, and many young people already carry concerns about what the future might look like. When misinformation about environmental threats or disasters spreads online, the consequences can be more than confusion.False information about things such as tsunami warnings or extreme weather can create fear even when there is no genuine threat. For young people already experiencing climate anxiety, being unable to distinguish between a real warning and misinformation can add another layer of uncertainty.This is why digital literacy can also be part of climate resilience.We need to be able to pause before sharing something frightening, check where it came from and understand whether the information is credible. In a world where information can travel across the country in seconds, knowing how to verify it matters. Artificial intelligence is already a part of the digital environment young people are growing up in. It is also one of the most complicated conversations we are having about technology. AI can support learning and make certain tasks more accessible, but it also raises important questions about accuracy, transparency, privacy, originality and responsibility.I don’t think young people should be told simply to embrace AI, nor do I think avoiding the conversation will make it disappear. Instead, we need to understand it.As these technologies continue to develop, we need to keep learning alongside them. The digital world will not wait for us to catch up. If technology continues evolving while our understanding stays the same, we risk becoming less digitally literate over time, even as we become more digitally connected.There is another part of this conversation that we cannot ignore: the environmental cost of the technologies we use.AI and other digital technologies depend on physical infrastructure, energy and resources. As AI continues to develop, we should be asking not only what it can do, but also what its growth means for the environment. If these technologies are going to become a permanent part of our lives, we need to advocate for their responsible and sustainable development and use. Technology will continue to evolve. Our responsibility is to make sure our understanding, our policies and our choices evolve with it. When the digital world follows us everywhereAt the same time, the opportunities of the digital world exist alongside risks, particularly for children and adolescents. The online environment can expose young people to bullying, manipulation, exploitation and different forms of violence. Harm does not become less real simply because it happens through a screen.Therefore, protecting children has to include the spaces where they spend their time online. Young people need the knowledge and confidence to navigate those spaces safely, but responsibility cannot rest entirely on them. Families, schools, governments, organisations and technology companies all have a role in creating digital environments that are safe, inclusive and supportive.For many young people, being online is not something that can simply be switched off. We study online. We communicate online. We organise projects online. We find opportunities online. We maintain friendships and communities online.So when we talk about digital wellbeing, I don’t think the answer can simply be “spend less time on your phone.” Perhaps the more important question is: Are we using technology intentionally?There is a difference between using the internet to learn something and scrolling without realising how much time has passed. There is a difference between connecting with people and feeling like you have to constantly be available to everyone. There is a difference between being informed and becoming overwhelmed by everything happening around you.Digital wellbeing is not about escaping technology. It is about learning how to live alongside it and perhaps that is what growing up digital really means.Growing with the digital worldMy generation is growing up in a world where the boundaries between our online and offline lives are becoming increasingly difficult to separate. The choices we make online can affect our communities offline. The information we encounter can shape how we understand the world. The platforms we use can influence who we meet, what opportunities we find and what issues we care about. It comes with responsibility.We need young people who question before they share, verify before they believe and continue learning as technology changes. We need young people who can use digital spaces to participate, organise and advocate, while understanding that having a voice also means having a responsibility to use it thoughtfully.We need schools that teach digital literacy as an essential skill. We need families and communities that can have open conversations about online safety and wellbeing. We need systems that protect children from harm. We need technology to be developed with people and the planet in mind. And we need young people included in these conversations, because we are not simply users of the digital world - we are the generation that’s growing up in it.The internet has given my generation something I am deeply grateful for: access. Access to information, people, ideas and opportunities that might otherwise have been far beyond our reach. But it is only the beginning. What we do with that access is up to us.The digital world is going to keep changing. AI will keep developing. New platforms will emerge. New opportunities and new risks will follow. We cannot ask young people to stop growing up digital. We need to make sure they are ready for it. Because the future is not just something we will experience through a screen. It is something we are already helping to shape.This article is first published at UNICEF Maldives website on More than a screen: what it means to grow up in the digital age in Maldives | UNICEF MaldivesTo learn more about the works of UNICEF Maldives Please go to UNICEF Maldives

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26 August 2026

Resident Coordinator Hao Commends Maldives' Advocacy for SIDS

Recognition of Maldives' leadership in advocating for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).Emphasis on the importance of collective action among island nations.The United Nations Resident Coordinator to the Maldives, Hao Zhang, has commended the Maldives for its proactive role in advocating for the rights and interests of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Resident Coordinator made these remarks during an interview with PSM News regarding the SIDS Global Business Network Forum 2026, and the launch of the Island Investment Forum.The Resident Coordinator highlighted the Maldives' significant contribution in hosting such high-level conferences and championing the unique challenges faced by small island nations. He noted that the discussions taking place at the forum are highly relevant and meaningful for countries like the Maldives.By sharing common challenges and working together as a unified bloc, SIDS can unlock diverse opportunities, the Resident Coordinator said.Furthermore, he pointed out that despite the Maldives being an upper-middle-income country, it recently secured a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at concessional rates typically reserved for Least Developed Countries (LDCs). He attributed this achievement to the Maldives’ status as a SIDS and emphasized the need for SIDS to strengthen collective efforts to access such favourable financial assistance.Resident Coordinator Hao also noted that significant advancements in renewable energy, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Information Technology (IT) could transform the landscape for SIDS. He highlighted that by turning existing challenges into opportunities for development, these nations could advance sustainable climate adaptation. He stressed the importance of identifying accessible and affordable financing mechanisms tailored to the developmental needs of SIDS. “For instance, the Maldives previously relied on fuel for electricity generation. However, the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, has paved the way for energy production independent of oil and petrol. Additionally, fields like drone technology, modern logistics, IT, and Artificial Intelligence are advancing daily,” said the UN Resident Coordinator.The Resident Coordinator emphasized that these technological advancements present unique opportunities to advance the economies of SIDS sustainably. Such innovations could help overcome long-standing challenges, including high energy costs and geographical connectivity issues. He added that SIDS have the potential to make progress through various avenues by leveraging new technologies to mitigate geographical disadvantages. Resident Coordinator Hao highlighted insufficient progress in climate financing at the global level as a significant challenge for SIDS. He noted that although SIDS contribute minimally to global carbon emissions, they remain among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.“As I mentioned earlier, there are 39 SIDS. It is crucial for these nations to unite and share their concerns, experiences, and lessons learned. Most SIDS face similar challenges; therefore, the Maldives’ initiative to bring these nations together to discuss these issues is an opportunity to utilize technology and collectively create a larger market,” Resident Coordinator Hao Zhang stated.The Resident Coordinator concluded by stating that, rather than focusing solely on income levels, international financial institutions should consider the specific vulnerabilities of SIDS when providing sustainable, concessional, and long-term financial support. He noted that this is vital for the development of SIDS and their efforts to build climate resilience.This article is an English translation of an interview originally published in Dhivehi by PSM News on 24 August 2025.Read the original article on PSM News

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18 August 2026

International Support for Energy Emergency

The Maldives is strengthening its ability to maintain essential services and protect communities from external shocks, with support from development partners and international financial institutions.As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) that is highly dependent on imported fuel, the Maldives is particularly exposed to changes in global energy markets and other external developments. Fuel is essential for electricity generation, water production, transport and the movement of goods and services across the country.Against this backdrop, development partners are supporting efforts to help ensure that essential services can continue to reach communities across the Maldives.ADB Approves US$50 Million Emergency Assistance Loan for Energy Security in MaldivesIn August, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a US$50 million concessional loan for the Maldives to support critical fuel imports. The financing will help sustain electricity and water supplies, as well as food and health-care logistics, inter-island transport of people and cargo, and waste management.This new loan, provided through ADB's ordinary capital resources, carries highly favourable financing terms, including a 1.0 percent annual interest rate and a 40-year repayment period, including a 10-year grace period.Building resilience through partnershipThe latest financing builds on earlier support from international financial institutions. Together, this brings the total support to at least US$90 million to help the Maldives maintain essential services, including electricity, water and critical transport and logistics.For communities across the Maldives, maintaining reliable access to electricity, drinking water, transport, food and health-related logistics is central to ensuring that people can continue to access the services they depend on every day.This continued support also highlights the importance of strong development partnerships in strengthening the Maldives' resilience and supporting sustainable development.Collective Support for Essential ServicesThe continued collaboration among development partners and international financial institutions demonstrates the importance of coordinated action in times of need. This emergency assistance supports the Government of Maldives in addressing the current energy emergency, helping to maintain essential services and mitigate its impact on communities across the country. Such partnerships remain important in supporting the Maldives' resilience and ensuring that people can continue to access the essential services they rely on.

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13 August 2026

What climate signals reveal about mangrove risks

A strong El Niño is underway and is strengthening in the Pacific while a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is expected to develop. Both events are known to alter sea temperatures, rainfall and water levels, creating conditions that place mangroves under severe stress. Against the backdrop of a changing climate, these events can amplify local environmental conditions in ways that are difficult to detect until impacts become visible. Recognizing these signals early, through strengthened monitoring and early warning systems to detect changes in sea level, salinity and ecosystem health, can help governments and coastal communities anticipate risks and take informed actions.Mangroves are a vital part of coastal ecosystems, helping protect shorelines from erosion and storm impacts, providing habitat for fish and other wildlife, storing large amounts of carbon, and supporting livelihoods, food security and cultural traditions. Asia and the Pacific account for more than half of the world's mangrove share, making their resilience critical not only for biodiversity but also for the millions of people who depend on them. The IOD and El Niño are large-scale climate patterns that influence ocean temperatures, rainfall and sea levels across the Indo-Pacific region. They can create prolonged flooding, unusual heat and elevated salinity in coastal wetlands, placing significant stress on mangrove ecosystems, sometimes across multiple countries simultaneously. Acting independently or interacting, these two events have significant effects on ocean and coastal life. Understanding how they influence these local conditions is therefore essential to protecting mangroves and strengthening the resilience of coastal communities. Due to a positive IOD in 2020–2021, the Maldives experienced one of the most significant recorded mangrove dieback events in its history, with impacts reported on roughly one-quarter of the country's mangrove-bearing islands and losses exceeding 40 per cent of mangrove cover in some locations. These were driven by raised sea levels, leaving many mangrove wetlands flooded for extended periods. In low-lying mangrove systems with poor drainage, seawater became trapped, evaporation concentrated salt in the soil, and tree roots were deprived of oxygen. This combination of flooding, heat stress and salt accumulation weakened and killed large numbers of mangroves. Sharing the same vulnerabilities, this positive IOD triggered widespread mangrove losses across the Western Indian Ocean, striking as far as the Seychelles, Comoros, Mayotte and Madagascar. Studies from other regions, including northern Australia during the 2015–2016 El Niño, have similarly linked these climate oscillations to large-scale mangrove dieback, demonstrating how such events can push already-stressed coastal ecosystems beyond their natural tolerance limits.When a strong positive IOD occurs alongside El Niño, the combined effects have historically been associated with higher sea temperatures and sea levels, changes in rainfall, prolonged flooding in some areas and increased salinity in coastal wetlands. Many mangrove ecosystems are resilient and can recover from periodic climate fluctuations, but they have limits. Monitoring these large-scale climate patterns can provide valuable early warning and help coastal managers respond before ecological stress becomes widespread. The value of monitoring lies not in hindsight but in translating these signals into real-time, impact-based forecasts that coastal managers and sector users can act on in tandem with information regarding mangrove types and characteristics. In addition, protecting mangroves in a changing climate requires understanding new and recurring climate patterns that can rapidly push these ecosystems beyond their natural limits. ESCAP analysis of potential mangrove exposure to sea surface temperature anomalies finds that until 2040, mangroves in the Maldives are mostly under low or very low risk; but the pattern could shift to a medium level under SSP3-7.0 scenarios by 2060; and by the late century, exposure uniformly intensifies further to High under SSP2-4.5 and to Very High under SSP3-7.0. Understanding how mangrove ecosystems could respond over time is important for developing a strategic approach to mangrove preservation, such as allowing space for mangroves to adapt and migrate as shorelines change. Development strategies should be less focused on reacting to individual events and more focused on strengthening long-term climate resilience. Protecting existing mangrove forests, as demonstrated by Malaysia's large-scale conservation efforts, restoring degraded ecosystems using locally appropriate approaches, such as Indonesia's mangrove rehabilitation and Sri Lanka's natural regeneration programme, strengthening partnership and working with coastal communities, whose knowledge of local hydrology and environmental change is critical for successful restoration and long-term stewardship are some of the key elements that could ensure a sustainable approach to supporting mangroves.While climate change is increasing uncertainty, as shown above, governments do not have to respond without guidance. Understanding recurring climate patterns alongside long-term climate trends can help coastal managers anticipate ecosystem stress and protect mangroves before irreversible damage occurs. Note: ESCAP assessments in the area were conducted with the support of the UK's CARA programme funding. Learn more at https://caraprogramme.org/---Authors:Leila Salarpour Goodarzi, Associate Economic Affairs Officer, ICT and Disaster Risk Reduction Division, ESCAPAhmed Shabin, Secretary General, Maldivian Red CrescentYoungeun Kim, Intern, ICT and Disaster Risk Reduction Division, ESCAPRahul Kumar Suman, Consultant, ICT and Disaster Risk Reduction Division, ESCAPElisa Belaz, Consultant, ICT and Disaster Risk Reduction Division, ESCAP

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02 August 2026

Breastfeeding, mental health, and the care our mothers are owed

By: Kenanao Keemenao MotlhoiwaA mother should not have to choose between feeding her baby and protecting her own wellbeing. Yet, too often, the support surrounding breastfeeding focuses on the baby while the mother’s emotional needs go unseen.Maldives has done something many countries have not: it has won the fight for child survival. Newborns who once would not have lived through their first days now do, across even our smallest and most remote island communities. Breastfeeding has been part of that story and rightly remains a national health priority. But alongside this progress sits a quieter, less examined reality. Across the islands of Maldives, in the hours after a child is born, two things are happening at once. A mother is learning, often for the first time, how to feed her baby. And she is also often silently finding her way through one of the most emotionally demanding periods of her life. We have long spoken about the first challenge. We have not spoken nearly enough about the second. What the evidence tells us Postpartum depression and anxiety affect millions of women worldwide, and Maldivian mothers are no exception. For many women living across our dispersed islands, the early weeks of motherhood can be isolating. A mother who is struggling to breastfeed may have no lactation counsellor nearby. A mother experiencing anxiety or depression may have no mental health professional to turn to, and perhaps no other new mother with whom to share her experience. Too often, our health systems, our workplaces, and our communities treat infant feeding and maternal mental health as two separate issues, addressed by different people at different times. But for mothers, they are deeply connected. Research on breastfeeding and maternal mental health is nuanced. Some studies find that breastfeeding is associated with lower rates of postpartum depressive symptoms, possibly through hormonal pathways, improved sleep, and a growing sense of confidence and closeness with the baby. Other studies find no such protective effect once additional factors are considered. What the evidence does show clearly is that the relationship works both ways. Depression and anxiety can make it harder to establish and sustain breastfeeding. At the same time, mothers who want to breastfeed but struggle—because of pain, low milk supply, exhaustion or inadequate support—may experience guilt, distress and a profound sense of failure. The lesson is simple: breastfeeding alone does not protect a mother’s mental health. What matters is whether she is supported, listened to and cared for throughout the experience. Breastfeeding should never depend on a mother’s endurance alone. Every postnatal contact should therefore become an opportunity to ask two equally important questions: How is your baby feeding? And how are you feeling? They were never really two separate questions. This raises an important question for us: how do we build a system in which a mother’s emotional well-being is supported alongside her baby’s feeding. This begins with a simple shift: treating breastfeeding and maternal mental health as one conversation, not two. Breastfeeding is more than a feeding method; in the earliest days of life, it connects a mother’s physical and emotional well-being with her baby’s health. What must change I believe three things are within our reach for sustainable support systems that this year's World Breastfeeding Week is calling for us to build. First, health workers in health centres and hospitals across the atolls need the skills and time to ask new mothers “how are you feeling”. Perinatal depression and anxiety are common and treatable conditions, not signs of weakness or failure. Early screening and appropriate referral integrated into postnatal care and breastfeeding support can identify distress before it deepens. Second, we must protect mothers from guilt. A mother who finds it difficult to breastfeed has not failed her child. Mothers need accurate information and practical support to make informed feeding decisions, not pressure, shame, or unrealistic expectations. Our responsibility is to support breastfeeding while always protecting the dignity, agency, and mental health of every mother. Third, we must invest in the conditions that make both breastfeeding and maternal wellbeing possible: adequate maternity leave, workplaces and public spaces that accommodate new mothers, peer support networks that reach mothers, and family and community members equipped to recognise when a new mother needs help. Supporting breastfeeding is not solely a mother’s responsibility. It is a shared responsibility. The strength of the system around her, from her home, her community, the places she shops at, or works at, or communes with others at, will often determine whether she can continue. Call to action This World Breastfeeding Week, under the theme “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” I call on health workers to check on a mother’s emotional well-being as carefully as they monitor her baby’s growth. I call on employers to provide mothers with the time, space and flexibility they need to breastfeed or express milk safely and with dignity. I call on partners and policymakers to integrate breastfeeding support and maternal mental health into postnatal services across every island. And I call on families and communities to create room in their lives for mothers to breastfeed freely, and to notice when a mother is struggling, to listen without judgement, offer practical help and reach out rather than turn away. To every mother across Maldives who is awake tonight, wondering whether her baby is feeding enough, and whether she herself is coping: please reach out to a health worker, family member or trusted friend. Asking for help is not a sign of failure. It is an act of care for yourself and your baby.

This article is first published at UNICEF Maldives website on Breastfeeding, mental health, and the care our mothers are owed | UNICEF MaldivesTo learn more about the works of UNICEF Maldives Please go to UNICEF Maldives

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Press Release

04 October 2026

FAO and Government of Maldives Launch New Initiative to Strengthen Climate-Resilient Agricultural Food Systems

24 September 2026, Male - The Government of Maldives and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today launched the project “A Holistic Approach to Agricultural Food Systems Resilience and Adaptation in Maldives” at an inception workshop in Malé, bringing together government institutions, development partners, academia, private sector representatives and other stakeholders to initiate implementation of the five-year programme. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), the project aims to strengthen the resilience and adaptive capacity of agricultural food systems in the Maldives, contributing to enhanced food security, sustainable livelihoods and greater resilience to climate change impacts. The Maldives faces increasing climate-related challenges, including sea level rise, saltwater intrusion, changing rainfall patterns, rising temperatures and extreme weather events. These pressures pose significant risks to agricultural production and food security, underscoring the need for investments that strengthen climate resilience across the sector. The project is expected to directly benefit approximately 28,200 people, support around 3,000 farmers and agricultural enterprises, and contribute to the climate-resilient management of approximately 4,507 hectares of land across the southern atolls of Laamu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani and Seenu. Speaking at the workshop, Dr Aminath Shafia, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources, Maldives highlighted the importance of strengthening resilience, “The Maldives’ unique geography and exposure to climate change make strengthening the resilience of our agricultural food systems a national priority. This project provides an important opportunity to strengthen climate-smart agricultural production, improve value chains and enhance the capacity of farmers and other stakeholders to adapt to changing conditions. Through close collaboration with FAO and our partners, we look forward to translating this investment into practical solutions that strengthen food security, support sustainable livelihoods and build more resilient communities across the targeted atolls.”Also speaking at the workshop, Mr Vimlendra Sharan, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and Maldives, emphasized “Climate change is placing growing pressure on food and agricultural systems in the Maldives, making it increasingly important to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity across the sector. This new initiative provides an opportunity to work alongside the Government and partners to support climate-resilient agricultural practices, strengthen livelihoods and improve the capacity of communities to adapt to changing conditions. FAO is pleased to support this important effort, bringing together knowledge, innovation and partnerships to help build more sustainable and resilient food systems for the Maldives.”The project builds on FAO's wider support to the agriculture sector in the Maldives, including ongoing initiatives on agricultural statistics, plant health and biosecurity systems, and sustainable pest management. Together, these efforts contribute to a more resilient, productive and climate-adaptive agri-food sector.The inception workshop provided an opportunity for stakeholders to review implementation arrangements, strengthen coordination, identify synergies with ongoing initiatives and contribute recommendations to support effective project delivery. The participation of government institutions, development partners, technical experts, academia, the private sector and other stakeholders, alongside FAO technical officers from Bangkok, provided an important platform for sharing expertise and strengthening collaboration for the implementation of the project.# # #About FAOThe Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) leads international efforts to defeat hunger. It helps countries modernize and strengthen agriculture, forestry, and fisheries practices, making them more sustainable and ensuring food security & nutrition for all. FAO focuses special attention on developing rural areas, home to the majority of the world's poor and hungry people. For more information visit: www.fao.org or follow FAO on Twitter @FAOSriLanka @FAOnews @FAOknowledgeFor more information please contact:Nalin Munasinghe, AFAOR (P), Nalin.Munasinghe@fao.org, Tel.: +94 77 365 9058
Dilshani Dias, FAO/Colombo, Dilshani.Dias@fao.org, Tel. +94 77 015 2424

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Press Release

22 September 2026

Maldives moves towards establishing National Information Centre for recognition of qualifications

Malé, Maldives, 22 September 2026: The Maldives is taking steps towards establishing a National Information Centre (NIC) for the recognition of higher education qualifications, with the aim of making international study and employment opportunities more accessible for Maldivian students, graduates and professionals.The Workshop on Establishing a National Information Centre for Recognition of Qualifications, organized by the Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) in partnership with UNESCO brought together government representatives, higher education institutions, professional councils and international experts to explore how the Maldives can strengthen qualification recognition and build greater trust in its higher education system.“MQA’s establishment as the National Information Centre will enhance transparency, international mobility, and trust in the Maldives’ higher education system. The workshop assessed MQA’s current readiness and identified key actions required to establish the NIC in alignment with the Global Convention.” Mariyam Fizaana Rashyd, Chief Executive Officer of the Maldives Qualifications Authority.“For the Maldives, becoming a full member of these international frameworks is an important national commitment. We remain committed to progressing towards ratification and implementation of the Tokyo Convention and the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education. This is an important area for a country like the Maldives, where increasing numbers of our students and professionals pursue education and qualifications across borders.”Ahmed Shafeeu, Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills DevelopmentA National Information Centre serves as a national source of authoritative information on higher education systems, qualifications, quality assurance and procedures for the recognition of qualifications. UNESCO’s Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education calls on States Parties to establish and maintain such centres to provide relevant, accurate and up-to-date information on their higher education systems. The initiative is aligned with the UNESCO Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education and the Asia-Pacific Regional Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education, also known as the Tokyo Convention. These frameworks promote fair, transparent and non-discriminatory recognition of higher education qualifications and support greater academic mobility and cooperation across borders.For Maldivian students, stronger qualification recognition systems can help provide clearer information when applying to universities overseas, transferring credits, pursuing postgraduate studies or continuing education abroad. More transparent recognition procedures can help reduce uncertainty and support pathways to further learning opportunities.Professionals can also benefit from more reliable recognition processes when seeking employment overseas, applying for professional registration or returning home with international qualifications. An effective NIC can support these processes by providing authoritative information on qualifications, quality assurance and higher education institutions, helping employers, regulatory bodies and educational institutions make informed decisions.During the workshop, participants explored international best practices and examined recognition models from across the Asia-Pacific region, including experiences from the Republic of Korea. Discussions covered institutional arrangements, information management, digital platforms, recognition procedures, appeals mechanisms and stakeholder collaboration. Participants also reviewed the Maldives’ current recognition landscape and identified practical steps required to establish an NIC.The workshop was supported through the UNESCO-Republic of Korea Funds-in-Trust Initiative, “Educational Innovation & Regional Integration in Asia-Pacific: Action Plan to Facilitate Cross-border Recognition of Qualifications for Students and Professionals” (2025-2028). The initiative supports countries in strengthening fair and transparent qualification recognition and advancing student and faculty mobility across the region.*Link to MQA website photos for CPE selection: Credit MQA MQA - Workshop on Establishing a National Information Centre for Recognition of Qualifications

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Press Release

24 August 2026

NDMA and UNDRR initiate CDRI-supported work on catastrophe risk modelling, systemic risk and macro-fiscal analysis in the Maldives

Malé, Maldives, 24 August 2026 — The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), through its Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of the Maldives commenced the broader stakeholder consultation process under the project through a two-day national capacity development workshop on disaster risk analytics, held on 23–24 August 2026 in Malé, with the participation of the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) and sectoral agencies. The workshop was delivered under the Maldives Budget Stress Testing project, funded by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) through its Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) programme, which supports small island developing states in strengthening the resilience of their infrastructure and economies.The Maldives is among the most disaster-exposed economies in the world. The islands are characterized by their small size and low elevation, with the average elevation of a typical island being less than 1.5 metres above mean sea level, and a single severe coastal flooding or tropical cyclone event can generate significant fiscal and economic impacts. The workshop presented three analytical building blocks being developed to help the Government quantify and manage these risks: a national catastrophe (CAT) risk model, a disaster-induced systemic risk assessment, and a macro-fiscal model for budget stress testing.The workshop covered the national CAT model, developed by the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) in cooperation with UNDRR, focusing on two of the country’s priority perils— coastal flooding and tropical cyclone wind — and estimates the monetary losses that disaster events would impose on the built environment, including the four critical infrastructure systems: power, transportation, telecommunications and water. The workshop also covered systemic risk assessment which traces how the disruption of critical facilities cascades through the networks of infrastructure and services on which the island economy depends, and the macro-fiscal model, which translates these losses into fiscal outcomes, allowing the Government to stress-test the budget against disaster scenarios and to design a disaster risk financing strategy that layers financial instruments against the loss curve.Over two days, more than 30 technical and policy staff from NDMA, Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, MMA and sectoral agencies worked with the UNDRR team on the scope, architecture and uses of the three tools, and discussed the data requirements, and timelines for the next phase of work. The results of the project, including the models and their outputs, will be transferred to the national institutions that will own and use them.“As we launch this initiative on catastrophe risk modelling a macro-fiscal analysis in the Maldives, we are particularly glad to bring together experts from the UNDRR and the UNOSAT, alongside the technical teams from the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises and the MMA, who will be central to taking this work forward. NDMA is pleased to facilitate this process by bringing together the institutions, technical expertise on disaster risk information and the wider sectoral knowledge needed to support the work” said the State Minister of Defence and National Service, Ms Aishath Safoora. “The Maldives faces some of the most concentrated disaster risk in the world, and managing it starts with measuring it. These tools are being built with, and for, the national institutions that will own them — so that risk information can directly inform the budget, debt management and financing decisions of the Government,” said Alper Aras, Economic Affairs Officer at the UNDRR Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. The workshop forms part of UNDRR’s broader programme of work with CDRI under the IRIS programme to bring disaster risk analytics into the fiscal planning and financing decisions of island states across the region.

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Press Release

23 August 2026

SIDS Global Business Network Forum 2026 Opens in Maldives and Launches Island Investment Forum to Accelerate Partnerships and Investment for Small Island Developing States

The 2026 Small Island Developing States Global Business Network Forum opened today in Malé, bringing together Governments, businesses, investors and development partners to advance partnerships and investment for island economies. Hosted by the Government of the Maldives in partnership with the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, the Forum runs from 23 to 25 August under the theme "Innovative and Inclusive Partnerships for a Sustainable and Resilient Future."The Forum brings together government leaders, investors, businesses, entrepreneurs, development partners, financial institutions, civil society, academia and other stakeholders to advance sustainable development across Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Forum serves as a platform for turning the ambitions of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) into practical action by connecting SIDS priorities, enterprises and investment opportunities with strategic partners and investors. The event also marks the launch of the Island Investment Forum under the SIDS Centre of Excellence, creating a dedicated mechanism to increase the visibility of bankable projects, facilitate investor engagement and strengthen follow through on investment opportunities emerging from island economies. Small Island Developing States continue to demonstrate leadership, resilience and innovation despite facing significant challenges, including climate change, economic vulnerabilities, high transaction costs and limited access to finance. The Forum responds to the growing need for stronger partnerships and increased private-sector engagement by providing a space where governments, investors, entrepreneurs and development partners can identify solutions, forge collaborations and advance investment-ready projects.Over two and a half days, participants will engage in high-level dialogues, investment showcases, networking opportunities, business-to-government meetings, an MSME marketplace and deal rooms designed to promote concrete outcomes and actionable partnerships. Discussions will focus on areas critical to resilient island economies, including digitalization and artificial intelligence, resilient tourism, renewable energy, MSME development, innovative financing and sustainable economic transformation.Rabab Fatima, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, said: "The Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS provides a bold blueprint for sustainable and resilient prosperity, but its success will depend on our collective ability to mobilize resources, partnerships and investment. The SIDS Global Business Network Forum and the launch of the Island Investment Forum represent an important step toward translating commitments into concrete opportunities actions for SIDS businesses, entrepreneurs and communities. By bringing together governments, investors, development partners and the private sector, we aim to create lasting partnerships that help unlock finance, scale innovation and accelerate sustainable development across island nations."Echoing the Forum's focus on turning commitments into action, Her Excellency Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, highlighted the importance of collaboration and shared action among island nations and their partners, as well as the need to create opportunities that deliver tangible benefits for SIDS communities and economies:"The Maldives is honoured to host the SIDS Global Business Network Forum and the Island Investment Forum this year, at a time when SIDS need stronger partnerships. Our aim is for this Forum to create a space where the priorities and potential of SIDS are recognised, and where meaningful connections can lead to new opportunities and practical outcomes. Our own experience has shown us the transformative power of collaboration, and we look forward to sharing those lessons."Building on this call for stronger partnerships, H.E. Dr. W. Aubrey Webson, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations, emphasized the importance of translating the commitments of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS into practical investment opportunities and sustainable development outcomes through enhanced engagement with investors, businesses and development partners:"The launch of the Island Investment Forum represents an important step in translating the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS from ambition into action. The Forum provides a practical platform for SIDS to connect investment-ready opportunities with investors, businesses and development partners, while strengthening the partnerships needed to build resilient and sustainable island economies. We are pleased to see this mechanism established through the SIDS Centre of Excellence and look forward to working with partners to ensure that the momentum generated here in the Maldives leads to tangible investment and development outcomes for SIDS."Expected outcomes of the Forum include increased visibility for SIDS enterprises and investment opportunities, stronger engagement between governments and private-sector actors, identification of new partnership and investment leads, and greater momentum for the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda through practical, investment-focused collaboration. Particular attention will be given to supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), including women-led and youth-led businesses, as drivers of inclusive and sustainable growth.Media Contact: • Ms. May Yaacoub, Head of Advocacy and Outreach| UN-OHRLLS | yaacoubm@un.org • Mr. Mohamed Ithof Ali, Deputy Desk Officer| Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives| mohamed.ithof@foreign.gov.mv • Mrs. Andrena Athill-Dasouza, Communications Lead| SIDS Center of Excellence| andrena.athill@sidscoe.org

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Press Release

12 August 2026

Maldives Government and ESCAP work together to strengthen inclusive social protection through technical workshop

Malé, Maldives – 12 August 2026 — The A technical policy workshop was organized in Male from 9 to 12 August 2026 by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare Thirteen policymakers and technical specialists from the National Social Protection Agency, Maldives Pension Administration Office, Maldives Bureau of Statistics the Ministry and Department of National Planning joined the event.The workshop offered an opportunity to review the innovative and data-driven policy tools developed by ESCAP, including the Leaving No One Behind Platform (LNOB), Social Protection Online Toolbox (SPOT) Simulator and the latest addition of Social Protection to Leave No One Behind (SP2LNOB App). Following guided policy questions that local experts devised in collaboration with ESCAP, the participants customized the tools and analyzed household survey and census data, including the 2022 Census, to first identify the furthest behind groups in the Maldives and then explore how social protection could potentially help alleviate inequalities and vulnerabilities.While participants from the National Social Protection Agency explored the potential impact of increasing the single parent allowance on the well-being of recipient households, participants from the Maldives Pensions Office analyzed inequality in digital inclusion, literacy and education and employment among older persons in the Maldives. Participants from the Maldives Bureau of Statistics and the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare explored inequalities in access to basic services thereby profiling the furthest behind groups and their intersecting circumstances such as age, gender, location, migrant and disability status, among others across the country.The workshop resulted in recommending policy solutions that were discussed with senior managers to identify the next steps. ESCAP together with the focal points from the Maldives will produce knowledge products to disseminate the results and policy recommendations to inform evidence-based policymaking for inclusive social development in the Maldives. The knowledge products will also be presented by government representatives of the Maldives at regional and global events planned in 2027 to support South-South collaboration in the context of inclusive and evidence-based social development policymaking.

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