"Maldives remains committed to fight corruption, increase accountability and advance human rights"

The government of Maldives remains committed to fight corruption, end authoritarianism, increase accountability and advance human rights, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The Maldivian president took part in the "Summit for Democracy" hosted by President of the United States, Joe Biden on Thursday, and delivered his national statement on Friday.

In his statement, the Maldivian president revealed the government’s aim to amend the existing Public Finance Act and regulations to eliminate gaps in the legal framework and added that the government hopes to meet the eligibility criteria to join the open partnership and make the government more transparent and accountable by doing so.

Highlighting the opportune moment for such an initiative as the Covid-19 pandemic had aggravated the backsliding of democracy as well as gross human rights violations across the world, President Solih stressed that as the globe attempts to overcome the challenges of the pandemic, ensuring strong democracies and protecting human rights, are significant.

Further, he assured that the Maldivian government remains committed to ensure space for an independent civil society nationwide, that it will remain free of undue influence and to ensure the continued expansion of it.

Going on to shed the spotlight on the efforts by the Maldivian government to enhance capacity and build a stronger and more independent judiciary in the Maldives in collaboration with international partners, President Solih reiterated the government’s commitment to continue “this crucial work” as the Maldives believes an independent judiciary is an important facet of a “vibrant” democracy.

The Maldivian president went on to highlight the important roles of women in the Maldives’ national development, as 78 percent of women account to the education sector as well.

The Solih administration is creating a path for women to have a “stronger” impact on decisions that affect the local communities, through the recently amended Decentralization Act to mandate one third of local councils to be women.

The virtual summit, a first of its kind, gathers over 100 leaders from across the globe, followed by an in-person summit slated for 2022. The ‘Summit for Democracy’ revolves around challenges and opportunities facing democracies globally and acts as a platform for leaders of government, civil society and the private sector to share their commitments, reforms and initiatives to defend democracy and human rights.

The summit carries the goals of galvanizing commitments and initiatives across three principal themes; strengthening democracy and defending against authoritarianism, fighting corruption and promoting respect for human rights.

Further, it also acts as a platform to listen, engage and speak honestly regarding challenges that face democracy globally and within countries participating, including the U.S.