Discussions have been held on promoting Maldives as a tourist destination in South Korea.

Ambassador of Korea to Maldives, Jeong Woonjin paid a courtesy call on Vice President Faisal Naseem on Wednesday, during which the pair engaged in discussions regarding a wide array of topics, including the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, tourism cooperation, education opportunities as well as strengthening ties.

During the call, Ambassador Woonjin stated that Maldives is a famous tourist destination among South Korean travelers, with which the pair discussed increasing cooperation to boost the island nation’s tourism in South Korea, to increase tourist arrivals.

Expressing gratitude to the government of South Korea for their generous assistance amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Maldivian vice president commended the well-established education system in the country and expressed hopes to further strengthen cooperation through increased scholarship opportunities, language courses and exchange programmes.

Shedding light on the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) held in November in Glasgow, United Kingdom last month, the Korean Ambassador applauded the island nation’s participation, with VP Naseem having revealed that Maldives has always seen climate change as a pressing concern.

With this being said, he stressed on the importance of larger nations coming together to support low-lying small island states such as the Maldives, to help them adapt to the effects of the climate crisis.

VP Naseem and the Korean Ambassador expressed interest to expand cooperation on advocacy and climate action, including in the transition to renewable energy.

Further, the pair expressed commitment to continue working together on international issues of mutual concern.

Maldives and South Korea celebrated the 54th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations, on Tuesday.

Diplomatic relations were established between the two nations, on 30 November 1967.