The Foreign Service Institute of the Maldives (FOSIM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UN University for Peace (UPEACE), aimed at enhancing the training and development of Maldivian foreign service officers and government officials working in international relations.
The agreement was signed during a ceremony held in Geneva, Switzerland. Representing the Maldives, Dr. Salma Rasheed, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, signed the MoU. Ambassador David Fernandez Puyana, Permanent Observer for UPEACE in Geneva, signed on behalf of the University.
The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration between FOSIM and UPEACE in the areas of training, education, and capacity building. Under the agreement, Maldivian officials will gain access to specialised training programmes and educational resources designed to support their professional growth in areas such as diplomacy, international law, human rights, and peacebuilding.
Officials described the partnership as a step forward in strengthening the Maldives’ diplomatic capacity, particularly by offering foreign service officers opportunities to engage with international best practices and academic expertise. The focus on long-term capacity building is expected to improve institutional knowledge and the overall effectiveness of the country’s foreign service.
Founded in 1980 under UN General Assembly Resolution 35/55, the UN University for Peace is headquartered in San José, Costa Rica. The institution is dedicated to promoting peace through education, with a focus on global issues including conflict prevention, human security, and environmental sustainability.
The agreement is part of the broader efforts by the Maldivian government to professionalise its foreign service and invest in knowledge partnerships that support national development goals in an increasingly complex international environment.
