President H.E. Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced an ambitious vision for the Maldives' future in his Main Address at the World Governments Summit 2024 held in Dubai.
In opening his speech, the President commended the leadership and government of the UAE for leading the way in promoting inclusive, strong leadership, governance, and partnership.
The President outlined his vision to achieve sustainable development in the economic sectors under the Visitor Economy Concept. He highlighted some of the development projects including the central maritime port with a free zone, expansion of the Velana International Airport, and the integration of maritime development in the northernmost atoll with a global shipping route.
Furthermore, the President highlighted the Administration's commitment to integrating technology and artificial intelligence to drive productivity and foster business growth. He reiterated key manifesto pledges, which include promoting paperless e-government platforms and leveraging AI in various services.
In addition to economic development, President Dr Muizzu reiterated the Maldives' commitment to environmental sustainability and noted the start of the Ras Malé Eco-City project. This initiative aims to improve urban living by providing 65,000 housing units and setting new sustainability standards. He further stated that urban centres will be developed throughout the country.
The President also spoke on the Maldives' vulnerable environment and the urgency of taking prompt global action to address the climate crisis. He remarked on the Administration's goals to increase renewable energy to 33%, establish more biosphere reserves and nature parks, plant five million trees for resilience, explore vertical farming for food security, prioritise climate resilience, and implement a 20-year development plan.
Concluding his speech, the President emphasised the importance of international cooperation for sustainable development, pledging collaboration and knowledge sharing with other governments. The President declared that the Maldives looks forward to forging partnerships with other governments and celebrating mutual success and priorities.