The President has released a formal statement affirming that as of today, the 1st of February 2020, the Maldives is once again a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, thus fulfilling one of this Administration’s key inaugural pledges. In his statement the President Solih stated that our rejoining the organization is symbolic of this administration’s commitment to both engage with the international community and to deliver on our domestic pledges to citizens in good faith.


He praised the Commonwealth as an organization embodying the best of multilateral diplomacy, highlighting its past assistance to the Maldives over the years, and the fact that it gives voice to over 50 diverse member states that span the globe. Speaking further, President Solih underlined the significant opportunities granted by our reascension, highlighting the scholarship opportunities, sporting platforms and youth programs among many other benefits that the Maldives can once again avail itself of by virtue of our membership. The President underscored that the Maldives remains committed to the values enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter and in the Harare Declaration.


The Commonwealth Secretary General, the Right Honourable Baroness Patricia Scotland informed the President over telephone today that the Maldives has re-acceded to the Commonwealth of Nations as its 54th member. With our membership, the Maldives’ diplomatic missions in fellow Commonwealth countries will change from Embassies into High Commissions, which will be symbolized through flag raising ceremonies. The Maldives’ flag will be raised at Marlborough House, the Common Secretariat, on the 6th of February.