Addressing a gathering of regional leaders at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Ministerial Meeting (APT-MM), the Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Hon. Ali Ihusaan, called for enhanced multilateral cooperation to tackle the escalating threat of cybercrime in the Asia-Pacific. The meeting, held on 30 and 31 May in Tokyo, Japan, brought together 38 ministers from across the region to evaluate ongoing developments in information and communication technology (ICT) and promote stronger regional partnerships.
In his keynote address, Minister Ihusaan emphasised the need for a united front in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, warning that while rapid technological advancement continues to improve lives and transform governance, it also exposes nations to growing digital vulnerabilities. He noted that recent incidents of financial fraud, data breaches, and unauthorised access to critical systems demonstrate how cybercrime can undermine the foundations of technological progress if left unchecked.
Highlighting the Maldives’ national strategy, Minister Ihusaan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing digital transformation under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s ‘Digital First Nation’ vision, introduced last month. Branded as ‘Maldives 2.0’, this initiative aims to leverage digital technology to improve government service delivery, drive economic development, enhance operational efficiency, broaden access to opportunities, and ensure that Maldivians across the country benefit from inclusive digital services.
“The digital transformation policy of the administration plays a central role in this mission,” Minister Ihusaan stated, adding that efforts are already underway to ensure nationwide access to essential digital infrastructure and services. He stressed that these advancements must be supported by robust cybersecurity frameworks and called on governments in the Asia-Pacific region to adopt cohesive legislative and policy measures that reinforce digital safety and resilience.
The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity, founded on 1 July 1979 through collaboration between the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), serves as an intergovernmental platform dedicated to promoting ICT development across the region. It works closely with member states, private sector stakeholders, and academic institutions to harmonise telecom standards, drive innovation, and expand connectivity.
As a member state since 1980, the Maldives has consistently engaged in APT’s initiatives, recognising the strategic value of regional cooperation in achieving technological advancement and safeguarding digital infrastructure. Minister Ihusaan’s participation in this high-level meeting reaffirms the Maldives’ active role in shaping the future of digital governance in the Asia-Pacific.
The event concluded with shared commitments among member states to enhance cooperation in building resilient digital economies, exchange best practices in cybersecurity governance, and accelerate ICT infrastructure development across the region.
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