China to Fund National Museum Upgrade, Minister Heena Announces

The government has secured funding from China to upgrade the National Museum, with work expected to begin soon, Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Heena Waleed has announced.

She made the statement while responding to questions from MPs in Parliament today, where she also addressed a range of issues relating to national heritage, cultural events and ongoing preservation work.

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The Minister said the National Museum currently displays around 600 artefacts, including some that are more than 1,500 years old, while the institution holds over 7,000 items in total. She noted that challenges remain in the categorisation, storage and management of the collection.

She said the government is working with the Chinese government to upgrade the museum to improved standards and confirmed that funding arrangements have been finalised. She added that preparatory work is underway and implementation will begin soon.

Responding to questions on Independence Day celebrations, Heena Waleed said the 2025 celebrations cost MVR 4.1 million. She stated that events were held in Malé and that no additional spending was made for celebrations in the atolls.

On concerns raised regarding the preservation of Kalhuohfunmi and museum facilities being used for administrative purposes, the Minister said work is being carried out as required and highlighted ongoing efforts to improve management of the museum’s collection.

She also addressed questions on heritage preservation, stating that the Maldives has around 400 historical sites and that documentation work is ongoing to identify conservation needs.

Heena Waleed further noted that a joint maritime heritage survey is being conducted with Kyoto University and the National Centre for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, covering sites across the country. She said 18 atolls have been completed so far, with work in Malé scheduled next before findings are compiled into a public online database.

On UNESCO World Heritage status for the Hukuru Miskiy (Friday Mosque), she said the nomination was submitted in January and accepted for evaluation. An inspection team is expected to visit the Maldives, with potential inscription anticipated by late 2027 if approved.

The Minister also said councils are being encouraged to mark national days at the local level, while confirming that a national Nasru Day celebration will be held by the Maldives National Defence Force.

She added that work is underway to host a Filmfare Awards event in the Maldives in September, noting that the last major film awards ceremony in the country took place in 2019.