President Dr Mohamed Muizzu held a series of high-level meetings on Saturday with senior officials from Japan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the OPEC Fund for International Development, reaffirming the Maldives’ long-standing relationships with its development partners and exploring new avenues for collaboration. The meetings took place at the President’s Office as part of official engagements surrounding the 60th anniversary of Maldivian independence and the inauguration of the new international terminal at Velana International Airport.
Among the dignitaries received by the President was Her Excellency Ikuina Akiko, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and Special Envoy of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral ties, with both sides reflecting on over five decades of cooperation, particularly in areas such as disaster resilience, economic development, and capacity-building.
President Muizzu also welcomed Mr Waleed Shamlan Al-Bahar, Acting Director-General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. Their meeting touched on strengthening ties in key sectors including healthcare, renewable energy, and fisheries. The President expressed gratitude for the Fund’s continued role in Maldivian development, particularly through its contributions to infrastructure projects.
Another courtesy call was made by Mr Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Murshid, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development. The President acknowledged the Fund’s critical support in financing the newly inaugurated airport terminal. Discussions also extended to potential future collaboration in housing, health, and fisheries.
Finally, President Muizzu met with Dr Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, President of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID). The conversation focused on ongoing and future development partnerships, with particular attention to climate adaptation, water and sanitation, renewable energy, and infrastructure. Both sides noted the nearly five-decade partnership between the Maldives and OFID.
All four engagements reflected a broader effort by the government to deepen international partnerships and secure continued development assistance at a time of significant infrastructure expansion and economic ambition.
