"Maldives looks forward to enhance partnerships with UAE, other GCC and MENA nations"

Maldives looks forward to further strengthen partnerships with the United Arab Emirates and other nations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Delivering remarks at the Dubai Expo 2020 in commemoration of the Maldives National Day, the president congratulated the UAE leadership for hosting the “wonderfully planned” expo which he described as a feat, especially impressive considering that an expo, of “such sophistication and magnitude” is being held as the world is returning to normalcy from the havoc wreaked by the “worst” pandemic in living memory.

Highlighting that the UAE has brought together over 190 countries for the expo, in spite of being faced by many hurdles, Solih stated that it is a testament to UAE government’s foresight and leadership.

With this being said the Maldivian president expressed pleasure in having the UAE leadership join the Honor Day celebration, as UAE has always been a significant development partner and a close friend of the Maldives.

President Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed arrived at the Dubai Expo 2020 on Monday and were received by Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai.

The First Couple, joined by a delegation of cabinet ministers and high-level executives from the government and the President’s Office, departed on the official visit to Dubai on Sunday.

The First Couple will also attend a special luncheon hosted by the UAE government.

On October 26, the Maldivian president will be making his speech as the keynote speaker at the Maldives Investment Forum. He will also participate in the Q&A panel discussion to follow.

The First Couple will also be conducting meetings with Maldivian diplomats, their families and members of the Maldivian community in UAE.

Upon conclusion of their trip, First Lady Fazna will return to Maldives on October 27, whereas spouse Solih will directly head to Glasgow, Scotland on October 29 for the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), slated for November.

The president will be joined by Speaker of Parliament and former President, Mohamed Nasheed during this trip.

Held every five years, the Expo 2020 was initially scheduled from October 20 last year to April 10 this year, however, due to the situation surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, it was postponed.

The Expo, hosted by Dubai this time and themed “Connecting Minds and Creating the Future”, will end on 31 March 2022.

This time’s theme revolves around sustainability, innovation and cooperation from around the world and over 192 nations from across the world are participating in the six-month event.