Speaker of the Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla has urged parliamentary bodies to work towards bridging differences between countries to facilitate progress in the digital realm. He made the statement in his address at the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
During his address at the conference themed "Harnessing Science, Technology, and Innovation for a More Peaceful and Sustainable Future," Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla emphasized the Maldives' dedication to renewable energy and sustainable development. He stressed the significance of using science and technology to bring about sustainable development, especially in small island nations like the Maldives, and to protect its vulnerable environment.
Highlighting that Maldives, as a small island nation, faces significant challenges due to climate change, the Speaker emphasised the government’s initiatives to address these issues. As such, he reiterated President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's overarching goal of deriving 33% of the nation's electricity from renewable resources within five years. He also mentioned the national campaign of planting five million trees, another initiative of the President.
Additionally, Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla highlighted that the Parliament of Maldives was the first in the world to fully transition to online operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted the establishment of the Standing Committee on ICT, which aims to enhance technological oversight. The Speaker also revealed that the Maldives is actively investing in artificial intelligence (AI) to improve public services and environmental monitoring, with the ultimate goal of creating a fully digitized economy.
Furthermore, the Speaker voiced concern over the detrimental effects democracy faces, due to the spread of disinformation and misinformation, purposefully. The Speaker underscored the crucial importance of developing ethical frameworks for STI in line with the IPU’s Charter, ensuring that research is conducted with integrity and respect for human rights.
Concluding his speech, Speaker Abdul Raheem expressed grave concern over the escalating violence in Palestine, calling for an immediate cessation to the ongoing genocide. The Speaker urged all parties to prioritise this issue and collectively exert efforts to spare the Palestinians from their current ordeal. He additionally highlighted the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, urging for an immediate halt to hostilities to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population and restore stability.