The Minister of Finance, Dr. Mohamed Shafeeq, has been appointed as the Vice Chair of the 58th Annual General Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This prestigious appointment was announced during a press conference held to provide insights on the endeavours of the Ministry of Finance over the past six months.
Dr. Shafeeq expressed his honour at the Maldives being given the opportunity to serve as Vice Chair at the forthcoming ADB Annual General Meeting, scheduled to take place in Italy on 7 March 2025. The Maldives will be represented by Dr. Shafeeq and the Deputy Minister of Finance, Ahmed Saaid Musthafa, at this event.
The ADB, established in 1966, is a regional development bank aimed at promoting social and economic development in Asia. The bank’s Annual General Meeting serves as a crucial platform for member countries to discuss development issues, review projects, and plan future initiatives. The meeting gathers finance ministers, central bank governors, and other senior government officials from ADB’s member countries, alongside representatives from international organisations, the private sector, and civil society.
The appointment of Dr. Shafeeq as Vice Chair underscores the Maldives’ growing role in regional development dialogues and its commitment to collaborating with international partners to achieve sustainable development goals. This role will enable the Maldives to actively participate in high-level discussions, contribute to shaping development policies, and advocate for issues pertinent to small island developing states.
The 58th Annual General Meeting of ADB in Italy will be a significant event for the Maldives, providing an opportunity to showcase its development progress and engage with key stakeholders on issues of mutual interest. The participation of Dr. Shafeeq and Deputy Minister Musthafa will ensure that the Maldives’ perspectives and priorities are effectively represented on the international stage.
The ADB’s Annual General Meeting is not only a platform for discussing financial and developmental issues but also an opportunity for networking and building partnerships that can drive future growth and development across the region. The Maldives’ active engagement in this forum is expected to yield positive outcomes for the country’s development agenda.
