Dr. Ali Haidar Ahmed, Minister of Higher Education, Labour, and Skills Development of the Maldives, joined global policymakers at the Global Government Summit – Shaping the Future of Social Innovation, held from April 9th to 11th, 2025, in Luxembourg. The summit brings together high-ranking officials and policy-makers from around the world to explore ways of enhancing public sector performance and social impact through innovative governance.
Representing the Maldives at the summit is Dr. Ali Haidar Ahmed, Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, accompanied by Dr. Abdulla Nazeer, State Minister for Higher Education. This international gathering, attended by over 200 delegates from more than 40 countries, focuses on the future of government efficiency and strategies to boost social productivity. The event features participation from leading public officials, innovation experts, and international development organisations.
Themed “Shaping the Future of Social Innovation,” the summit addresses key challenges in government administration and offers a collaborative space for exchanging ideas and policies that can streamline governance and strengthen societal well-being. It also explores the development of legal structures to support innovative practices and highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in scaling up sustainable solutions. The summit, inaugurated by H.E. Georges Mischo, Minister of Labour of Luxembourg on 11th April 2025, spotlighted innovative approaches to public sector transformation, with a central focus on enhancing government efficiency and promoting social productivity.
Minister Haidar delivered a compelling keynote speech that outlined the Maldives’ evolving approach to education and skills development, with an emphasis on inclusive policies that align with long-term national goals. He highlighted the country’s successful experiences in linking education with employment through partnerships with the private sector, particularly in the tourism and hospitality industries. Drawing attention to the Maldives’ renowned resort sector, he shared the potential for international student apprenticeship programmes that could be mutually beneficial, especially for students from Luxembourg and other participating nations.
On the sidelines of the summit, Dr. Haidar met with H.E. Georges Mischo, Minister of Labour of Luxembourg. The two Ministers discussed enhancing bilateral relations through educational and workforce collaboration. Of particular interest was the prospect of enabling students from Luxembourg to undertake apprenticeships in the Maldives’ world-renowned resorts and hospitality sector, a move that would foster cross-cultural learning and strengthen human capital development in both nations.
Minister Dr. Ali Haidar, also met with the Maldives’ Ambassador to Belgium, H.E. Geela Ali, to discuss new avenues for academic collaboration. Their meeting focused on enhancing higher education opportunities for Maldivian students, particularly through partnerships with institutions in the Baltic region. Both Dr. Haidar and Ambassador Geela Ali shared a mutual vision for advancing academic mobility and expanding international access to quality education for Maldivian youth. They explored practical ways to build long-term partnerships between Maldivian universities and higher education institutions across the Baltics, aiming to foster joint programs, student exchange initiatives, and cross-border research collaborations.
Throughout the two-day forum, delegates engaged in interactive sessions on building legal frameworks that recognize innovation, securing financing mechanisms for scaling up impactful projects, and establishing public-private partnerships to drive sustainable change. The summit is expected to conclude with the adoption of the Luxembourg Declaration, a joint roadmap outlining strategies to expand the global impact of social innovation. This shared vision underlines the commitment of all participating nations, including the Maldives, to shape a more resilient and inclusive future through cooperation and forward-thinking governance.
By taking part in this influential summit, the Maldives continues to affirm its dedication to forward-thinking governance and meaningful global collaboration, reinforcing the nation’s growing presence in international forums on education, labour, and innovation.
advertisment
advertisment
