His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu participated in a high-level engagement with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Maldives on 16th July 2025 at the House of Lords in London, as part of his official visit to the United Kingdom. The meeting served as a platform to further reinforce the enduring bilateral relationship between the Maldives and the UK, which has spanned over 60 years since diplomatic relations were formally established in 1965.
The session was opened by Member of Parliament Yasmin Qureshi, Co-Chair of APPG Maldives, who emphasized the collective responsibility of the international community to support Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as the Maldives. She called for increased financial and technical support, along with long-term international commitment to assist these nations in addressing critical challenges related to climate change, economic vulnerability, and sustainable development.
President Dr Muizzu, in his address to the parliamentarians, reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to further deepening its strong and historic ties with the United Kingdom. He noted that the partnership is rooted in shared democratic values, mutual respect, and enduring people-to-people links that have fostered trust and cooperation over the years.
The President extended his appreciation for the UK’s continued support in key sectors vital to the Maldives’ development. He acknowledged the contributions made by the United Kingdom in strengthening the Maldives’ justice sector, promoting democratic reforms, and building institutional capacity. He also noted the importance of British assistance in climate adaptation efforts, particularly in the areas of technical collaboration and environmental resilience building.
Defence cooperation and education also featured prominently in President Dr Muizzu’s remarks. He highlighted the longstanding educational ties between the Maldives and the UK, which have enabled generations of Maldivian students to pursue academic and professional development in British institutions. He further praised the continued exchange of cultural and academic knowledge as a cornerstone of the relationship between the two countries.
The President also conveyed his confidence in the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Maldives as a valuable conduit for fostering parliamentary engagement and facilitating productive collaboration between the two nations. He encouraged the APPG to continue playing an active role in supporting policy discussions and initiatives that enhance mutual understanding and cooperation.
The engagement concluded with a series of constructive discussions among the participants, who exchanged views on strengthening bilateral partnerships in sustainable tourism, environmental conservation, democratic governance, and other priority areas. The meeting provided a timely opportunity to reaffirm the shared aspirations of both nations and explore ways to collaborate more closely in addressing global and regional challenges.
As the United Kingdom remains one of the Maldives’ key tourism source markets and strategic partners, this meeting further underscored the importance of sustained diplomatic efforts to enhance cooperation and promote the Maldives as a responsible, forward-thinking destination committed to sustainability and resilience. President Dr Muizzu’s participation in this high-level engagement reflects his administration’s broader vision to elevate the Maldives’ global partnerships in support of national development priorities.
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