- President Muizzu urged stronger accountability, transparency and institutional capacity across Small Island Developing States for economic resilience.
- He highlighted the growing role of Supreme Audit Institutions and presented digital transformation under the Maldives 2.0 vision.
- Muizzu launched the Auditor General's Office Strategic Plan 2026-2029 at the Ukulhas symposium.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has called for stronger accountability, transparency and institutional capacity across Small Island Developing States, arguing that good governance is central to economic resilience and sustainable development.
Speaking at the closing session of the SIDS Supreme Audit Institutions Symposium and the opening of the INTOSAI Development Initiative Global Summit in Ukulhas, the President said resilience should be assessed not only through physical infrastructure, but also through the strength of public institutions and public trust.
He said Supreme Audit Institutions have an increasingly important role as governments direct substantial resources towards climate adaptation, infrastructure, digital transformation and social development.
“Every dollar entrusted by citizens, and every dollar provided by development partners, must achieve its intended purpose,” he said, describing accountability as a strategic national asset that can build confidence, attract investment and support development.
The President said SIDS face persistent trade-offs between financing future development, managing debt, responding to emergencies and protecting vulnerable communities while maintaining growth. He said the Maldives remains committed to meeting its financial obligations while continuing investment in national development amid global uncertainty and external pressures.
He also presented digital transformation as an opportunity for island states to reduce the constraints of geography, distance and limited capacity. Under the Maldives 2.0 vision, the Government aims to develop a citizen-centred digital state, using digital platforms, data and artificial intelligence to improve transparency, decision-making and public services.
The symposium brought together audit institutions from SIDS to exchange expertise and strengthen their capacity to assess progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Ukulhas, the host island in North Ari Atoll, is recognised for its environmental sustainability efforts.
At the ceremony, President Muizzu launched the Auditor General’s Office Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2029.
He said environmental protection and economic development must be supported by effective implementation and public oversight, particularly for a country whose economy depends heavily on oceans, reefs, fisheries and marine ecosystems.
