US Pledges Additional USD 4.4 Million in Support of Maldives Through USAID
The United States has announced an additional USD 4.4 million in funding for the Maldives through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
This funding was unveiled during USAID’s ‘Democracy Delivers’ event, which took place yesterday alongside the 79th UN General Assembly in New York.
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At the event, USAID Administrator Samantha Power, in collaboration with the Ford Foundation, brought together government leaders, philanthropic partners, and representatives from civil society to enhance support for the Maldives and other nations experiencing democratic advancements.
According to a statement from USAID, the new funding includes:
USD 3 million to bolster media literacy programmes and promote information resilience in the Maldives. This initiative aims to increase transparency in the public and media sectors while equipping the public, particularly youth, with the tools to become informed and discerning consumers of media and social media content.
USD 1.4 million to raise awareness about democratic rights and civic engagement. This funding will support ongoing work with local councils and women’s development committees, as well as advocacy for transparent and accountable democratic processes.
The event was attended by Ali Naseer Mohamed, Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the UN, along with leaders and senior representatives from several countries experiencing democratic progress, including Armenia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Fiji, Guatemala, Malawi, Moldova, Nepal, Tanzania, and Zambia. Participants highlighted the Maldives’ democratic achievements and welcomed new investments aimed at furthering democratic resilience.
Like-minded partners, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, have pledged to join USAID in supporting democratic initiatives as part of their development and diplomatic agendas, while also enhancing information resilience.
The Democracy Delivers Commitment to Action, initially launched at UNGA in 2023, has seen philanthropic partners announce new commitments to support the objectives of Democracy Delivers.
According to USAID, these additional resources will be strategically invested to align with the Maldives’ ongoing efforts to increase transparency in public and media sectors, expand civic engagement opportunities, and promote transparent and accountable democratic processes.
