President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the role of youth is vital in ensuring that the digital economy contributes 15 per cent of the national GDP by 2030. He made these remarks while addressing participants at the Youth Coffee with the President session, held to conclude the two-day National Youth Conference. The conference was organised in collaboration with the Presidential Youth Advisory Board and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts.
In his address, the President reflected on the importance of economic development and diversification in fostering both national growth and youth development. He noted that diversification creates greater opportunities for young people. The President stated that the Administration places strong emphasis on developing key economic sectors such as tourism, fisheries and construction, alongside the expansion of the digital sector. In this regard, he announced that the Administration has set a target for the digital economy to contribute 15 per cent of GDP by 2030, thereby significantly expanding opportunities for youth. Highlighting the immense creativity of Maldivian youth, the President expressed his desire to further broaden opportunities within the digital sector.
The President also outlined planned development initiatives for the sector in the coming year, noting that the Maldives 2.0 initiative is the most significant national project for the next three years. Describing the programme as revolutionary and transformative in its impact on daily life, he urged young people to take an active role in its implementation.
He further stated that legislation related to Maldives 2.0 would be submitted to Parliament during the upcoming sitting, providing the programme with the necessary legal framework. The consolidation of data across all Government agencies, he explained, would enable the development of a national data exchange network, addressing systemic issues in service delivery. The President added that the goal is to ensure that every national identity card, while remaining a physical card, becomes fully digital by the end of 2027. This would allow citizens to access all services digitally. He emphasised that Maldives 2.0 would offer a lasting solution for the country, strengthening governance and public services through digitalisation. Reiterating the importance of youth participation, he encouraged young people to play a more active role in onboarding citizens onto the platform.
During the meeting, the President listened to concerns raised by youth and outlined measures that the Government could take to address them. He also briefed attendees on planned initiatives aimed at youth empowerment and encouraged greater youth participation in sustainable development and environmental protection. The President reassured participants that their concerns were valid and had been well received by the Administration, adding that efforts would be made to find appropriate solutions.