The President’s Office has begun preparations to hold the fourth Viavathi Raajje Conference in Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, from May 12-14.
The Viavathi Raajje conference is a platform for local government and women’s development committee (WDC) representatives to present to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih their ideas and concerns and discuss potential solutions. The president believes strongly in empowering local councils to make developmental decisions that affect them with the input of their respective constituents.
The inaugural Viavathi Raajje Conference was held at CROSSROADS Maldives in December 2019, in which President Solih signed the eighth amendment to the Decentralisation Act into law, authorising more fiscal and legal autonomy for local councils. Since then the conference is being held separately for the northern, central, and southern atolls. As such, the second edition of the conference was held in Ukulhas, Alifu Alifu Atoll, in May 2022. During the conference, President Solih announced plans to solve the housing issues in the atolls, to disburse 100% of atoll shop revenue to local councils, and to disburse revenue from Green Tax to local councils for development. The third edition of the conference was held in Gan, Laamu Atoll, in September 2022 for representatives from the southern atolls.
The fourth edition of the Viavathi Raajje conference will be held for representatives of local councils and WDCs in the northern region. The conference will be split into three zones for city councils, atoll councils, and island councils and WDCs. The conference seeks to provide the opportunity for authorities to review the existing structures and find avenues for improvement. It also offers an opportunity for the administration to confer its policies to ensure good governance.