President Dr Mohamed Muizzu held discussions with Honourable Alex Sobel, Member of Parliament for Leeds Central and Headingley, and senior officials across key sectors in the City of Leeds during his official visit to the United Kingdom.
According to the President’s Office, the meeting covered a wide range of topics, including healthcare, climate resilience, and digital transformation. President Muizzu shared ongoing efforts in the Maldives to improve healthcare access through telemedicine and explored how technology developed in Leeds could support these efforts.
Food security was also high on the agenda. The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to reducing reliance on imports by increasing domestic agricultural production. Leeds officials, in turn, outlined some of their recent initiatives in food systems and sustainability.
The President’s Office said Dr Muizzu discussed the Government’s digital economy target, aiming for it to contribute 15 per cent of GDP by the end of the decade. He invited collaboration on artificial intelligence and digital transformation, underlining opportunities for public-private partnerships.
The President also gave an overview of the model city initiative, designed to introduce smarter and greener infrastructure in urban areas of the Maldives, and noted that international financial and technical support would be vital to its success.
According to the President’s Office, climate change and adaptation efforts were also discussed. The President highlighted a new large-scale solar energy project that began last month, and stressed the importance of coral reef preservation, improved weather monitoring systems, and clean energy development.
Further discussions focused on sustainable transport solutions, including the potential to adopt low-carbon models for public transport in Malé. Dr Muizzu also explored academic and research partnerships, including avenues for Maldivian students to pursue higher education at universities in Leeds.
Hon. Alex Sobel and Leeds city officials noted their existing development support programmes and expressed interest in working with the Maldives on clean energy, transport, and digital public service delivery.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to building strong, mutually beneficial partnerships.
