President ratifies Maldives Foreign Service Act

The Maldives Foreign Service Act has been ratified.

Passed by the People’s Majlis during the 31st sitting of the third session of 2021 on October 27, the bill was ratified by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday.

Upon ratification, the bill has been publicized in the government gazette and comes into effect six months after.

The bill mandates the establishment of a separate entity named “Foreign Service” in order to implement the foreign policy of the Maldives.

It also specifies the entity’s organizational structure, management policy and matter revolving around the diplomatic unit.

One implemented six months from now, the act mandates the establishment of an entirely separate institution titled “Maldives Foreign Service”.

The institution must be established within 90 days after the act comes into effect and must consist of executive service staff and general service staff.

All of the functions of the institution under the ministry will be transformed into an institute empowered under the act, once it is enacted.

Further, the bill highlights that the institution will represent the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and oversee all Maldivian missions and consular posts.

The president is the highest authority tasked with overseeing and directing the Maldives foreign policy, according to the act, which goes on to authorize the minister to manage the daily execution of the service under the instructions of the president.

In addition to this, the appointment of a Foreign Secretary is also mandatory, with the responsibility of assisting the minister to execute foreign service duties.

The appointed Foreign Secretary will be the highest-ranking members of the Foreign Service staff, who are required to report to the Foreign Secretary including outside staff working in similar posts.

Upon recommendations from the minister, the president is vested the power to appoint or terminate the Foreign Secretary.