Muizzu’s US Trip for UN General Assembly Costs MVR 2.4 Million

The President’s Office has disclosed that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s nine-day visit to the United States for the 79th UN General Assembly cost MVR 2,455,583.01.

The disclosure aligns with the office’s commitment to routinely publish details of expenses associated with Muizzu’s official travels. Notably, the Maldivian delegation’s food expenses during the visit were not funded by the State.

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In a statement, the President’s Office noted that the expenses for this trip were significantly lower than those incurred during similar visits by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The previous administration undertook two trips to attend the UN General Assembly, which involved much higher expenditures. While the President’s Office did not disclose the specific details of the expenses, it contrasted the costs with those of Solih’s visits to the UNGA in 2019 and 2021.

According to the President’s Office, Solih’s visit from September 21 to 30, 2019, cost MVR 4,171,832.42, while his trip from September 18 to 29, 2021, amounted to MVR 5,349,505.88.

“The spending by the government on this trip is therefore significantly lower than that of the two previous trips,” stated the President’s Office.

According to the government, the trip allowed Muizzu to meet with leaders from various nations and organisations, which is anticipated to foster significant future partnerships and collaborations for the Maldives.

During his visit to New York, Muizzu addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and made history as the first Maldivian leader to participate in an open debate at the United Nations Security Council since the Maldives became a UN member 59 years ago.

In his engagements, he delivered multiple statements and co-chaired several sideline events, addressing critical issues such as climate change, renewable energy, socioeconomic challenges, and digitalisation.

Muizzu also held high-level bilateral meetings with heads of delegations to the UNGA and multilateral meetings, including discussions with UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Additionally, he met with members of the Maldivian community residing in New York, delivered an address at Princeton University as part of the “Dean’s Leadership Series” at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, and toured Google’s New York office.