The government has established a Special Cabinet Committee to coordinate the national response to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, as the regional conflict continues to affect travel, aviation and Maldivians residing abroad.
In a post shared on X, Chief Spokesperson at the President’s Office Heena Waleed stated that the committee was formed to implement joint measures to address any difficulties Maldivians may face amid the situation. The committee was constituted earlier in the afternoon.
The Special Cabinet Committee is chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdulla Khaleel and includes Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, Minister of Finance and Planning Moosa Zameer, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan, Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed, and Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed.
According to the Spokesperson, the respective ministries will continuously share relevant information with the public as developments unfold.
The formation of the committee comes as conflict in parts of the Middle East has led to heightened security concerns, temporary airspace closures in several countries and disruptions to international flight schedules. These developments have already prompted travel advisories and operational adjustments in multiple jurisdictions, including the Maldives, where authorities have urged passengers to verify flight schedules before travelling.
For the Maldives, the implications extend beyond aviation. A significant number of Maldivians live, work or study in the Middle East, while the region also plays an important role in trade, tourism connectivity and labour markets. Any prolonged instability could have operational and economic effects, particularly if airspace restrictions or logistical disruptions continue.
The establishment of a cross-ministerial committee signals an attempt to centralise decision-making and ensure coordinated action across foreign affairs, defence, transport, economic policy and tourism, as well as areas such as labour and religious affairs that may be directly connected to Maldivian citizens overseas.
Further updates are expected as authorities monitor the situation and assess potential impacts on travel, economic activity and citizen welfare.
