President Muizzu Concludes Official Visit to the United Kingdom

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has returned to Malé following an official visit to the United Kingdom, undertaken to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and the UK and to explore areas of continued cooperation.

Meetings with UK Officials

During the visit, President Muizzu held meetings with senior British officials, including the Rt. Hon. Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, and the Rt. Hon. David Lammy MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. Discussions covered a range of topics, such as climate adaptation, education and scholarship opportunities, sustainable fisheries and tourism, and UK support for justice sector reform.

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Audience with King Charles III

On 17 July, King Charles III granted President Muizzu a private audience at Windsor Castle. The meeting included an exchange of views on the bilateral relationship between the Maldives and the UK, as well as opportunities to enhance cooperation. The audience took place ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Engagement with the Commonwealth

President Muizzu met the Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on 18 July in London. The meeting focused on areas of mutual interest and the Maldives’ national development goals. Secretary-General Botchwey reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s support for the Maldives, while President Muizzu outlined the country’s objective of attaining developed country status by 2040. The discussion also addressed issues relevant to Small Island Developing States, including democracy, governance, trade, and sustainable economic development.

Business and Trade Cooperation

As part of the visit, President Muizzu attended the Maldives-UK Business Forum, which aimed to highlight trade and investment opportunities in the region. During the event, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and the West London Chambers of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate greater economic collaboration.

In addition, the Maldives launched its fisheries promotion brand, From Maldives, to enhance international visibility and market access for Maldivian fisheries products.

Marking 60 Years of Bilateral Relations

The visit coincided with the 60th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between the Maldives and the United Kingdom. Activities during the visit were intended to review existing partnerships and identify potential areas for further cooperation across various sectors.