President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has appointed former Agriculture Minister Dr Aishath Rameela as a member of the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM).

The appointment was formalised during a ceremony at the President’s Office this morning, where President Dr Mohamed Muizzu presented the letter of appointment to Rameela. She also took the oath of office during the ceremony.

Rameela’s appointment was approved by parliament on 29 October. The position became vacant following the completion of HRCM member Mariyam Muna’s term last Sunday.

She was appointed Agriculture Minister at the start of the current administration but resigned from the post in December last year to focus on her cancer treatment.

Parliament has approved former Minister of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof as the Maldives’ next ambassador to Japan, following his nomination by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and review by the legislature’s Foreign Relations Committee.

During Wednesday’s sitting, 60 MPs voted in favour of Mahloof’s appointment, confirming him to the diplomatic post in line with standard procedure for ambassadorial nominations. The committee had previously examined the president’s proposal before submitting its report to the full chamber for debate.

Mahloof’s confirmation follows his switch to the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) on 14 November, after leaving the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). He served as Minister of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment in the MDP-led administration of former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Announcing his departure from the MDP last month, Mahloof described the decision as difficult, noting he had been largely absent from party activities since the 2023 presidential election. Although previously critical of President Muizzu’s administration on social media, he was later seen alongside the president at a public event.

The appointment drew criticism in Parliament. Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abbas of the Maldives Development Alliance argued ambassadorial positions should be offered to young, educated individuals rather than those who frequently change political allegiance. Abbas said ambassadors should maintain integrity and not “switch parties with every administration,” adding that it was inappropriate to “bring in people who bow to the ruler of that time and represent the country in front of the world’s developed nations.” He abstained from the vote.

Mahloof’s career spans multiple parties and roles. He began in the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party during President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s tenure, later representing South Galolhu in Parliament for the Progressive Party of Maldives. He joined the MDP in 2018, serving as youth minister until the end of the Solih administration, and now moves into his first ambassadorial role.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu ratified the First Amendment to the Fiscal Responsibility Act on Tuesday.

Parliament passed the amendment at the 27th sitting of its third session of 2025, held on Monday, 1 December.

The amendment requires the formulation, approval and publication of a Fiscal Responsibility Charter in the Government Gazette within 24 months of the Act coming into force. It also clarifies that, during this two-year period, the measures arising from the Charter will not be mandatory.

Additionally, the amendment suspends the requirement to conduct feasibility studies before including Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) projects in the State Budget until the Charter is formally adopted.

With the President’s ratification and its publication in the Government Gazette, the amendment has now taken effect.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has amended Presidential Decree No. 17/2024 on Tuesday, delaying the planned prohibition on the packaging, production, import and sale of single-use plastic water bottles between 500 ml and 1 litre.

The President’s Office said the amendment was made on the recommendation of the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, revising the timeline set under the decree, which identifies categories of single-use plastics considered harmful to the environment.

Under the updated provisions, the ban on the packaging, production and import of single-use plastic water bottles in the specified size range has been postponed from 1 December 2025 to 1 December 2027. The prohibition on the sale of the same products has also been deferred, moving from the previous date of 1 March 2026 to 1 June 2028.

The changes have been incorporated into Presidential Decree No. 35/2025, which outlines the list of single-use plastics deemed detrimental to the environment. The revised decree has been published in the Government Gazette.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu concluded his visit to the United Kingdom on Tuesday after attending the High-Level Briefing on Private Capital Mobilisation, hosted by His Majesty King Charles III and organised by the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI).

The visit, made at the invitation of His Majesty the King, brought together heads of multilateral development banks and global financial institutions to explore ways to accelerate private capital flows for sustainable development and global climate transitions.

According to the President’s Office, during the briefing, President Muizzu discussed advancing debt-for-climate and debt-for-nature initiatives, strengthening cooperation in green finance, and improving access to climate funding for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). He highlighted the urgent financing needs of SIDS, including the Maldives, and outlined opportunities to boost international partnerships aimed at mobilising private investment for climate-resilient growth.

The trip served as a platform to deepen the Maldives’ engagement with high-level partners and reinforce the country’s advocacy for equitable and accessible sustainable finance aligned with global climate and development goals.

This was President Muizzu’s third visit to the UK this year. In April, he launched a Maldives tourism campaign in partnership with Liverpool Football Club, a co-branded initiative with the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). He also met representatives from Football for Peace, toured the University of Leeds, and held discussions with British parliamentarians, local officials and Maldivian students. During the visit, he reinstated No. 9 Rosemont Avenue in London as the premises of the Maldivian Students’ Association–UK.

His second visit took place on 15 July, when he held high-level meetings with senior British officials, including Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Discussions focused on climate adaptation, education opportunities, sustainable fisheries, tourism and UK support for justice sector reform.

The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has temporarily suspended the registration of new vehicles under expatriates as part of efforts to ease traffic congestion.

Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen announced the decision on X, stating that the pause will remain in place while amendments are made to inland transport laws. He confirmed that the legislative work is under way but did not provide further details.

The move follows earlier remarks by Minister Ameen, who told Parliament on 27 October that the ministry is working with the Attorney General’s Office to introduce legal provisions to limit vehicle registrations, including those issued to companies. At present, local councils have the authority to set caps on vehicle numbers in their respective jurisdictions, but efforts to reach a solution with Malé City Council have so far stalled. He said the proposed amendments should be ready for parliamentary submission within two to three weeks.

The minister also acknowledged delays in planned parking infrastructure. He said handovers to contractors for new parking buildings in Malé and Hulhumalé would take place within a month. In October 2024, the ministry signed an agreement with the Housing Development Corporation to construct 15 parking facilities across the Greater Malé Region, creating over 4,000 parking spaces.

Minister Ameen noted that vehicle registrations in Malé have already dropped by 74 percent compared with 2023 and reiterated that preventing illegal registrations remains a priority as the government works to manage congestion alongside expanding infrastructure.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdulla Khaleel announced that Maldivians have contributed more than USD 2.4 million in aid to support Sri Lanka following its recent crisis.

The funds, raised through a telethon organised by Public Service Media (PSM), were officially handed over to the Sri Lankan government during a ceremony in Malé. The contributions reflect strong solidarity from the Maldivian people and their readiness to assist neighbouring countries in times of need.

The Minister highlighted that the Maldivian private sector has also participated in the relief efforts, further boosting the total assistance. The Maldives was among the first countries to provide aid, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to support Sri Lanka’s recovery.

In addition to the telethon contributions, the Maldivian government donated USD 50,000 in financial aid and 25,000 cases of canned tuna to support relief operations. Overall, the total assistance from the Maldives is expected to exceed USD 2.4 million.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu ratified the 17th Amendment to the Decentralisation Act and the 8th Amendment to the Local Council Elections Act on Monday.

The Decentralisation Act amendment was passed by the 20th People’s Majlis at its 26th sitting of the third session of 2025, held on 27 November, while the amendment to the Local Council Elections Act was approved during the same sitting.

The amendment to the Decentralisation Act abolishes atoll councils, which will cease to operate after the next local council elections. Governance across the 21 administrative constituencies—excluding those designated as cities—will now be carried out solely by island councils. These councils will be accountable to the Local Government Authority (LGA) and answerable to residents of their respective islands.

A new population-based structure for island councils has also been established. Councils on islands with fewer than 2,000 people will comprise three councillors, including one female member. Councils on islands with 2,000 or more inhabitants will consist of five councillors, including two female members.

The amendment specifies the number of members for city councils as follows: cities with populations between 10,000 and 25,000 will have seven members, including the seats reserved for a women’s representatives; cities with populations between 25,000 and 50,000 will have 11 members, including the women’s seats; and cities with populations over 50,000 will have 15 members, including the women’s seats.

Exceptions apply to Malé and Fuvahmulah City Councils. Malé City Council will comprise the mayor and representatives corresponding to the city’s delegation to the People’s Majlis, while Fuvahmulah City Council will include the mayor and one representative from each of its eight wards. Women’s representation in city councils will be distributed equally across constituencies, in accordance with regulations issued by the Elections Commission.

Further changes include a revised structure for Women’s Development Committees (WDC), with the Chairperson designated as a full-time, elected office. The LGA Board will also include one member elected from among the WDC Chairpersons.

The amendment outlines circumstances requiring a council member to vacate office, including withdrawing from the political party under which they were elected, joining another party, or registering as a party member after being elected as an independent.

Following its publication in the Government Gazette, the 17th Amendment to the Decentralisation Act has now come into force.

The amendment to the Local Council Elections Act introduces additional revisions to strengthen the framework governing City Council and Island Council elections. It also requires by-elections to fill vacancies on Local Councils to be held twice a year.

This amendment has taken effect upon publication in the Government Gazette.

Both legislative changes follow the ratification of the Seventh Amendment to the Constitution of the Maldives on Monday, which formally abolished the establishment of atoll councils.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu attended the High-Level Briefing on Private Capital Mobilisation hosted by His Majesty King Charles III on Monday. The session, organised by the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), brought together leaders of multilateral development banks and senior figures in global finance to accelerate efforts to mobilise private capital for sustainability-focused solutions.

According to the President’s Office, this high-level gathering included the participation of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Philip Edward Davis, as well as heads of major development banks such as the World Bank Group, Asian Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank and European Investment Bank. Senior executives from leading global financial institutions and investment firms, including BlackRock, Barclays, HSBC, Standard Chartered and Bank of America International, were also present.

President Muizzu contributed to discussions on advancing debt-for-climate and debt-for-nature initiatives, and on strengthening private sector partnerships in green finance, the President’s Office said. He outlined the challenges and acute financing needs faced by the Maldives and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS), while presenting recommendations to support equitable access to sustainable finance.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu ratified the Seventh Amendment to the Constitution of the Maldives on Monday, abolishing the establishment of atoll councils in the country. The amendment is now in effect following its publication in the Government Gazette.

The 20th People’s Majlis passed the Bill during its 24th sitting of the third session of 2025, held on 25 November. Under the amendment, atoll councils will be dissolved at the first local council elections following ratification. Existing atoll councils will remain in office until the mandates of the newly elected island and city councils are constituted.

The change also triggers revisions to the Local Council’s Election Act. This marks the eighth amendment to the Act. Article 1(a) has been updated to specify that the law now applies solely to elections for island and city councils, removing references to atoll councils. Article 2(a) has been similarly adjusted, while Article 5 — which previously set out the number of members on atoll councils — has been removed in full.

The relevant amendments to regulations and guidelines will be published in the Government Gazette within 30 days of the Act coming into effect.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdulla Khaleel has emphasised the responsibility of nations to uphold human rights through fair laws, transparency, and engagement with international mechanisms during his keynote address at the opening of the Commonwealth Asia Regional Workshop on National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-Up (NMIRF) and Human Rights Reporting on Monday in Malé.

Held from 1–3 December 2025, the workshop is organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat in partnership with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Government of the Maldives. According to the ministry, the workshop provides a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and capacity building on human rights reporting and Sustainable Development Goal follow-up, aiming to strengthen NMIRF structures across the region.

In his remarks, Minister Khaleel thanked the Commonwealth and OHCHR for hosting the event in the Maldives and welcomed delegates from fellow Commonwealth states, highlighting the shared commitment to human rights as fundamental to dignity and equality. He noted the duty of states to uphold these rights through fair laws, transparency, and active engagement with mechanisms such as the Universal Periodic Review and treaty bodies, reaffirming the collective commitment to integrating human rights into governance.

The opening session also featured speeches from Dr Justin Pettit, Acting Head of the Human Rights Unit at the Commonwealth Secretariat, and Mr Adnan Cheema, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. and UNDP Resident Representative. The three-day workshop brings together participants from Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, and various Maldivian government agencies.

The Parliament today has approved wide-ranging amendments to the Former Presidents’ Protection and Benefit Act, reducing several state-funded privileges for former presidents while, for the first time, establishing a formal allowance for former vice presidents.

The government-sponsored bill, submitted by Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid, was passed with 68 votes in favour.

Under the amendments, former vice presidents who have completed a full five-year presidential term will be entitled to a monthly allowance of MVR 25,000, as well as health insurance coverage in the Maldives and overseas.

Only one vice president has so far completed a full term under the current constitution – former Vice President Faisal Naseem – making him the sole individual currently eligible for this new benefit.

The existing law grants former presidents who served a single term a monthly allowance of MVR 50,000, while those who served more than one term receive MVR 75,000. Their spouses are also eligible for state-funded security and health insurance. In addition, the state may provide up to MVR 50,000 per month to cover their living expenses.

A key change introduced in the bill would suspend these allowances if a former president, or former vice president, assumes another state position, including if they are re-elected as president. Payments would resume only after they leave public office.

The amendments also propose the repeal of Article 8 of the current Act, which obliges the state to provide up to MVR 175,000 per month to fund an office, staff and related facilities for former presidents to conduct social work. This office allowance would be discontinued.

Another provision specifies that former presidents residing abroad will not be provided state security during their stay overseas. Protective services would resume once they return to the Maldives.

Five former presidents currently receive benefits under the law: Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Mohamed Nasheed, Dr Mohamed Waheed, Abdulla Yameen and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has appointed five new members to the Tax Appeal Tribunal in line with the Tax Administration Act. 

The new appointees are Hassan Nasih Mohamed, Usaamaa Moosa, Aishath Isha, Shifza Abdul Gayyoom, and Ahmed Yaameen. Their appointments took effect on 29 November 2025, following the expiry of the previous members’ tenures.

Parliament approved their nominations last Wednesday, November 26.

In October, President Muizzu appointed two members to the tribunal to serve until 28 November, when the previous term was due to end. Ibrahim Afeef joined the tribunal as a member, while Shaufa Ibrahim was appointed as the member representing the legal field.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu departed for the United Kingdom on Saturday evening at the invitation of His Majesty King Charles III to participate in the High-level Briefing on Private Capital Mobilisation, organised by the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI).

According to the President’s Office, the briefing will bring together Heads of Multilateral Development Banks and leaders of major financial institutions. Discussions will centre on mobilising private capital to advance sustainable development and support global climate transitions through strengthened international cooperation.

The Sustainable Markets Initiative was established under the vision and leadership of King Charles III. It drives private-sector engagement on sustainability by convening CEOs and global decision-makers to prioritise environmentally responsible economic activity. The platform aims to guide private-sector investment towards long-term, sustainable growth consistent with national climate commitments and the 1.5°C pathway.

This marks President Muizzu’s third visit to the UK this year. In April, he travelled to the country to launch the Maldives tourism campaign in partnership with Liverpool Football Club, a co-branded initiative with the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC)/Visit Maldives. During that visit, he also engaged with Football for Peace, toured the University of Leeds, and met senior university officials, British MPs, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, and Maldivian students based in the UK. He further reinstated No. 9 Rosemont Avenue, London, as the premises of the Maldivian Students’ Association–UK (MSA-UK).

The President made a second visit to the UK on 15 July to attend a series of high-level engagements. During that trip, he held discussions with senior British officials, including the Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, and the Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. Talks covered climate adaptation, education and scholarship opportunities, sustainable fisheries and tourism, and continued UK support for justice sector reform.

He also had a private audience with King Charles III at Windsor Castle, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the longstanding Maldives–UK partnership spanning six decades. In addition, the President met the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, to discuss areas of mutual cooperation.

President Muizzu also participated in the Maldives–UK Business Forum, which highlighted opportunities to enhance trade and investment ties. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the West London Chambers of Commerce and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade during the forum.