President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has expressed the similarities between Maldives and Japan can be successfully utilised to create mutually beneficial solutions to parallel problems such as the effects of climate change. The president made the remarks during a meeting with President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Shinichi Kitaoka. The meeting took place during the office visit of the president to Japan to promote bilateral ties and attend the enthronement of new Japanese monarch Emperor Naruhito.
Discussions during the meeting touched upon several subjects such as the close kindred relationship that has existed for generations between Maldives and Japan.
During the meeting, President Solih noted as Maldives and Japan are both island nations within the same region, interests are closely aligned. The president mentioned the development policy of Japan, similar to Maldives, relies on the freedom of the seas. He also noted the strong people-to-people contact that continues to exist between Maldives and Japan.
President Solih also expressed gratitude for the generous assistance and support JICA has extended to Maldives over the years, noting the institution has been instrumental in cultivating the strong bond that exists between the two countries. The president also thanked Kitaoka for the assistance from JICA with formulating the Master Plan for Sustainable Fisheries in Maldives and for the training and exposure opportunities provided to Maldivian youth under the Japan-East Asia Network of Students and Youths (JENESYS) Programme.
Further, President Solih discussed the project on Building Climate Resilient Safer Islands in the Maldives and the installation of the new Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting (ISDB-T) system to allow for more efficient disaster prevention and e-learning, especially within the outer islands of Maldives.