Maldives and the United Nations have signed a new cooperation framework setting out their shared development priorities for the country over the next five years.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam signed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2027–2031 on behalf of the Maldivian government, while UN Resident Coordinator Hao Zhang signed for the United Nations.
The framework is the UN's main strategic planning document at country level and will guide the UN development system's support for the Maldives until 2031.
It sets out joint priorities and actions aimed at supporting the Maldives' national development goals and accelerating progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The framework was developed through consultations with government institutions, UN agencies, development partners, civil society, academia, the private sector and other stakeholders.
The UN said the framework would focus on sustainable and inclusive development while addressing the country's particular challenges as a small island developing state and an upper-middle-income country.
It will support policy advice, evidence-based decision-making, institutional and human capacity development, and partnerships aimed at strengthening the country's resilience and development capacity.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam said the framework represented a shared commitment to building a prosperous and resilient future for the Maldives.
She said UN support was aligned with President Mohamed Muizzu's vision of achieving a fully developed Maldives by 2040.
Minister Iruthisham called for partnerships that could help the Maldives secure sustainable financing, technology and expertise, while investing in people, strengthening institutions and expanding state and productive capacity.
She said the success of the framework should ultimately be measured by the tangible improvements it brings to the lives of Maldivian people.
Zhang said the signing marked the beginning of a new phase of implementation and reaffirmed the UN's commitment to working with the Maldivian government and other partners to turn the framework's priorities into practical results.
Sixteen UN agencies, funds and programmes will work with the government to implement the framework, including the UN Development Programme, UNICEF, World Health Organisation, International Labour Organisation and UN Environment Programme.
A governance mechanism will also be established to oversee implementation, review progress and ensure that activities remain aligned with national priorities throughout the 2027–2031 period.
The signing comes as countries enter the final years of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and marks a new stage in the longstanding partnership between the Maldives and the United Nations.