The Government of Maldives and the United Nations in the Maldives convened the virtual Stakeholders’ Meeting, under the global Joint SDG Fund project “Operationalization of an Integrated National Finance Framework (INFF) in the Maldives”. The two year (July 2020 – June 2022) joint programme is being led by the Ministry of Finance with relevant government ministries, with UNDP, UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA. The programme is the first joint UN initiative which has been launched in the Maldives since 2018. It is a strategic approach, to supporting the Government to make progress on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country, by 2030. With just 10 years left, and the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 in the Maldives, innovations in the way that countries plan, and finance sustainable development is critical. At a value of US$ 1.4 million, this initiative will anchor climate action and a gender responsive and equity -focused social sector at the heart of the national financing agenda, to ensure that no one is left behind. In turn, more sustainable financing for these sectors should come online, and generate long-term development benefits for Maldivians. The main objectives of the virtual meeting were to: Inform the donors of the global Joint SDG Fund, and on the progress made of the programme in the Maldives; Build on Development Finance Assessment/ Integrated National Finance Framework consultative process to strengthen coherence, coordination, synergies and secure potential strategic partnerships across development partners and international financial institutions between ongoing and existing activities; and Identify potential entry points for collaboration to strengthen monitoring and governance of public and private investments. Speaking at the event, the Minister of Finance H.E. noted that the programme encompasses the timely operationalization of holistic and integrated financing strategies that will transform the development financing framework of the country, anchoring climate finance with comprehensive and equitable social service delivery. He further stated, “I believe this is an essential initiative fully aligned with the Government’s immediate priorities as we walk the path of inclusive recovery leaving no one behind as we have pledged together.”  The UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Catherine Haswell highlighted the importance of working across sectors to channel resources and support efforts more efficiently to recover better from the COVID-19 pandemic. The UNRC reaffirmed UN support to Maldives efforts to operationalize the INFF and enhance coherence amongst partners to move from funding to financing and create a better, more sustainable future for the people of Maldives. The Head of the global Joint SDG Fund, Ms. Lisa Kurbiel stated that the Fund is an innovative instrument, designed to incentivize transformative policy shifts, and stimulate the strategic investments required to get the world back on track to achieve the 2030 Agenda. She further noted that this is the only fund of its kind, solely focused on SDG financing across the UN Development System, stating that “we would like to see ourselves as a catalyst, where we can engage and attract much larger financial flows to countries like the Maldives.” Convened by the National INFF Oversight Committee, the Stakeholders’ Meeting was attended by the global UN Joint SDG Fund donors, development partners, and International Financing Institutions, project partners from the public and private sectors, and the Government of counterparts. As Maldives continues its fight to overcome the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Finance and the United Nations in the Maldives remain committed to consolidate knowledge and expertise available towards one key goal to create a resilient and sustainable future for Maldives.

Maldives can now test COVID-19 samples in its laboratories and no longer needs to ship them out of the country.  The testing capacity built with WHO support is critical for rapidly detecting and rolling out timely response to COVID-19 cases. Currently nearly 700 samples can be tested every day, and the capacity is being scaled up further and expanded beyond Male to atolls.  Even before the Maldives got its first case of COVID-19, WHO worked closely with the Ministry of Health to strategically prioritize strengthening and expanding the laboratory capacities and optimizing laboratory functions and services. "WHO continues to be a  prominent partner in supporting development of the health sector of the Maldives. Strengthening health laboratories has been one key support area among others. The recent support provided to do the first ever COVID-19 test in the Maldives, continued testing, and expanding testing capacity in the regions of the country are notable and invaluable assistance in this long standing partnership," said HE Abdulla Ameen, Minister of Health for Maldives.  Anticipating a rise in cases, WHO and the ministry focused on training laboratory staff in testing protocol, coordinating quality assurance, ensuring availability of enough lab kits and ramping up capacity at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), which is at the forefront of the pandemic response. WHO has been focused on development in the field of diagnostics, one of the most critical factors in effectively dealing with COVID-19 cases. As early as end February 2020, WHO had introduced RT-PCR (Real time; Reverse Transcriptase- Polymerase Chain Reaction), a test that ensured high level of accuracy and minimal chance of missing any case of infection. As a result, within weeks of the outbreak, Maldives could test and diagnose more than 700 cases a day. This was a significant milestone for the country, given the importance of timely and quality testing in a fast-evolving pandemic situation like COVID-19 with the added risk of community transmission and an overwhelmed public health situation. In another step to enhance laboratory capacity, the laboratory of Maldives Police Forensic Services was strengthened for RT-PCR Testing and logistics chain, sample collection and referral carriers were also put in place.  “Recognizing ‘testing’ as potential game changer in Maldives’ preparedness and response to COVID19 outbreak; WHO facilitated timely transfer of knowledge and technology to the laboratory in Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Male’ City, actually ahead of the first diagnosed COVID19 case,” said Dr Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative in the Maldives. “As a trusted and responsive technical partner of Government and people of Maldives; WHO is supporting further expansion of lab testing capacities in the country,” he added. WHO and the Ministry of Health have begun preparations to expand laboratory capacity beyond Male to other atolls. WHO is working to establish RT-PCR testing capacity in two regional hospitals.  The physical space and structure are being put in place as per WHO guidelines and the training of lab technicians from these atolls has already begun at IGMH. Maldives was able to build laboratory capacities in a timely manner because of early actions by Hon Health Minister and at the highest government level Maldives President, HE Mr Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, took several initiatives, including the establishment of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) to address the pandemic and seeking WHO support to strengthen the country’s laboratories, in addition to procuring and streamlining the most critical aspects of the pandemic – detection, testing, tracing, isolation and treatment. Joint efforts by WHO and Ministry of Health, proactive measures and critical technology transfer by WHO to strengthen laboratories have helped Maldives manage COVID-19 infections. Going forward, medical teams and labs will be even better equipped to learn from their initial experience and continue to ensure speedy identification of cases and their treatment as per protocols.

The main objective of this Action Campaign is to amplify commitments made by leaders to make a meaningful, timely change in their institution or sector towards achieving gender equality and non-discrimination. The Action Campaign was launched today, with the first two video pledges from His Excellency President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the Chief Justice Hon. Muthasim Adnan. Invitations to take part in the campaign are open for all leaders at various levels of the Government, Cabinet Ministers, Parliament, the judiciary, political parties, civil society organizations, the private sector until 15 March 2021. This year’s campaign is different. It is not just a day for announcements. The UN Maldives will compile the commitments made under the hashtag, #IWDPledges2021 and will annually monitor and track progress to encourage implementation. Because results matter, and we need to work together to ensure a more equal future for all. On International Women’s Day and every day, the UN family will continue our support and partnership to create more inclusive communities where women and girls have equal opportunities to reach their full potential and accelerate achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 5 - Gender Equality.

COVAX shipped 12,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. The arrival in Male’ City marks the first vaccine delivery to the Maldives by the COVAX Facility in its unprecedented effort to deliver at least two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021. This consignment is part of the COVAX allocation of 113,850 vaccine doses to the Maldives that the COVAX Facility will deliver in batches in 2021. With approximately, 35 percent of these vaccines expected to be delivered by May 2021. “Maldives has received acclaim for its inoculation drive internationally, with more than 145,768 people receiving their first dose by the end of 6 March 2021. One of this administration’s key policies is to provide fair and equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccines for all the people living in the Maldives – Maldivian or otherwise" said Minister of State for Health, Dr Shah Abdulla Mahir. Carmen Van Heese, OIC for Representative, Maldives noted that, “the arrival of the COVAX supplied vaccines contribute to Maldives’ efforts to vaccinate those at high risk of exposure and those who are most vulnerable to developing severe illness from COVID-19. UNICEF is committed to working with the Government of Maldives in its outstanding efforts in ensuring that the most vulnerable are reached”. "The ACT-Accelerator partnership, launched by WHO and partners, has supported the fastest, most coordinated, and successful global effort in history to develop tools to fight COVID-19. Its vaccine pillar - COVAX – aimed to and delivered COVID-19 vaccines at a record time and promoted fair and equitable access to all,” said Dr Shushil Dev Pant, Acting WHO Representative to Maldives, “All vaccines supplied through COVAX have received WHO EUL status and one of the best to fight against COVID-19. The vaccines delivered today and in future from COVAX will support the current momentum of vaccination and increase the reach of this life saving tool to protect the most vulnerable.” The COVAX Facility is generously funded by partner governments, including the Governments of Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Qatar, the United States and the European Commission as well as foundations and corporations. A full list of COVAX donor partners and pledges is available at: https://www.gavi.org/sites/default/files/covid/covax/COVAX-AMC-Donors-Table.pdf The Maldives had received 100,000 syringes and 1,000 safety boxes for COVID-19 vaccinations from the COVAX Facility on 23 February from UNICEF’s humanitarian warehouse in Dubai as part of the first wave of COVID-19-related syringe shipments.  UNICEF has been supporting the Government of Maldives with public communication around demand generation for the COVID-19 vaccines including public advocacy, community mobilisation and training sessions for key partners; as well as strengthen immunization cold chain systems through procurement of key equipment and provision of technical expertise.  WHO continues to provide all necessary technical support to COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in the country and is actively engaged in all aspects of the COVID-19 vaccine deployment. This includes support provided in the development of the National Vaccine Deployment Plan, facilitation of the country’s applications to COVAX facility and enabling NRA for regulatory and vaccine approval process.  It has provided relevant training to health professionals and policy makers. The support provided in the country’s cold chain system, including deployment to a majority of islands, such as walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers and deep freezers contribute to the capacity of vaccine management for the next decade. This shipment of vaccines will be a critical contribution to the National Deployment and Vaccination Plan, and the Government’s inclusive approach which includes the free vaccination for all people resident in the Maldives, regardless of their citizenship or legal status. Government of India’s contribution of 200,000 vaccines have already helped launch the vaccination campaign in the Maldives and to date, 145,768 people (around 36 percent of the target population) have been vaccinated. For several months, COVAX partners have been supporting governments and partners in readiness efforts, in preparation for this moment.  The United Nations system in the Maldives is committed to working with the Government of Maldives in the pandemic response to ensure that no one is left behind. Supporting the vaccination of the eligible population through COVAX will go a long way to restoring normalcy, addressing the attrition of social and economic gains and paving the way for socio-economic recovery.  “At this critical moment the UN is mobilising global action for a multilateral response to COVID-19. With the arrival of the first batch of vaccines the Maldives, provided via the COVAX facility, the UN’s close partnership with the Government of Maldives against COVID-19, to support the national response efforts and vaccination rollout, to ensure safety of all, and leave no one behind in our road to recovery”, said Catherine Haswell, UN Resident Coordinator in Maldives. UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, - “No one is safe until everyone is safe”.