President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated the importance of ensuring that every island has a voice in the National Development Plan. He made these remarks at the inauguration ceremony for discussions on the 20-year National Development Plan.
The President highlighted that if the country's development is subject to constant shifts due to political influences, it will not benefit the people. To address this, he aims to enshrine the plan with legal authority and integrate it into the Constitution, thus making it a binding national initiative.
The President emphasised that this work should be regarded as a national endeavour, with input from every island in the Maldives. He noted that 20 years is a generational span, and completing this plan will provide a vision for the future of a generation. "Hopefully, the implementation of this plan will reach all islands in the Maldives. The people of each island should have a say in this plan. Every island must be represented," he said.
The President added that the plan should also reflect global changes, particularly the role of artificial intelligence, and underscored the need to incorporate technology into the country's development.
While the drafting of the National Development Plan has begun, the President has set a goal to complete the process within one year, with plans to implement it by November next year.
Through this plan, significant steps will be taken to address the Maldives' major long-term challenges.