The Maldives’ application to join the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been unanimously endorsed by the Agency’s General Conference, marking the country’s first formal step towards full membership. The endorsement came during the 69th Regular Session of the Conference, currently taking place in Vienna from 15 to 19 September.
The Maldivian delegation is led by Dr Salma Rasheed, the Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations Offices in Geneva. Addressing the Conference following the endorsement, Ambassador Dr Salma highlighted the shared challenges facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including climate change and fragile ecosystems. She stressed the importance of international cooperation and science-driven solutions, describing membership as both a national milestone and a recognition of the role of small states in advancing peace, security, and sustainable development.
She added that joining the IAEA would open avenues for the Maldives to access technical expertise in key areas such as health, food security, and capacity-building. Of particular interest to the country is the potential to expand access to advanced cancer care through nuclear and radiation medicine. Membership would also allow the Maldives to leverage nuclear technologies for sustainable development while contributing to global discussions on peace and security.
The Maldives formally submitted its membership application in November 2024. With endorsement now secured, the process moves closer to full membership, which will formally integrate the Maldives into the global nuclear cooperation framework.
While the Maldives has no nuclear energy ambitions, membership in the IAEA matters for several reasons. It enables the country to benefit from technical support and training that can strengthen domestic healthcare systems, particularly in tackling cancer treatment, an area where access remains limited. It also opens up opportunities to adopt nuclear technologies in non-energy sectors, such as improving food security through crop resilience and ensuring environmental monitoring in fragile ecosystems. Moreover, membership positions the Maldives as an active participant in shaping international norms on the safe and responsible use of nuclear science, reinforcing its foreign policy commitment to multilateralism.
The IAEA, established in 1957, serves as the world’s hub for cooperation in the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology. Its endorsement of the Maldives reflects growing recognition of the importance of small states in addressing global challenges through science, security, and sustainable development.
