His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed were hosted at a state banquet in Singapore, held in their honour by His Excellency Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, and First Lady Mrs Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam. The event, held as part of President Dr Muizzu’s official state visit from June 29 to July 2, 2025, celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Singapore.
The banquet brought together high-level dignitaries, including cabinet ministers and senior officials from both governments, and reflected the deepening bonds between the two island nations. In his address, President Dr Muizzu expressed sincere appreciation for the hospitality extended by the Singaporean government and people, marking his first state visit to the country since assuming office.
During his remarks, President Muizzu emphasized that the relationship between the Maldives and Singapore extends well beyond formal diplomatic channels, with roots in historic trade, people-to-people exchanges, and shared experiences as young, independent states. He acknowledged Singapore’s longstanding support for the Maldives, particularly in moments of need—ranging from humanitarian assistance to institutional and technical cooperation in public administration and capacity-building.
Looking to the future, President Muizzu highlighted the potential for stronger bilateral cooperation in areas such as tourism, education, sustainable development, and regional advocacy. He noted that the visit had opened avenues for expanding collaboration and expressed confidence that the new agreements signed during the visit would deliver meaningful benefits to both countries.
President Shanmugaratnam, in his address, spoke about the importance of maintaining strong partnerships in a rapidly changing global context. He noted the Maldives’ leadership in the luxury tourism sector and Singapore’s experience in global finance and trade as complementary strengths. The Singaporean President welcomed the outcomes of the official discussions held during the visit, including the signing of several memoranda of understanding that focus on technical cooperation, education, capacity-building, and environmental sustainability.
President Shanmugaratnam also underscored the shared vulnerabilities of small island nations to global environmental and economic shifts. He stressed the need for countries like the Maldives and Singapore to work together on international platforms to push for climate resilience, adaptation, and sustainable development policies that reflect the unique challenges of island states.
Prior to the banquet, President Dr Muizzu and President Shanmugaratnam jointly unveiled commemorative stamp designs to mark the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations. The stamp collection symbolises the decades of friendship and cooperation between the two nations and serves as a public reminder of their shared diplomatic journey since formal relations were established on 20 February 1975.
The state banquet not only celebrated the historical bond between the Maldives and Singapore but also reaffirmed a mutual commitment to deepening cooperation across a wide spectrum of sectors, reinforcing a partnership built on mutual respect, shared values, and a vision for resilient, sustainable development.