The government is to seek parliamentary approval for Maldives to join the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced the decision during a meeting convened by the Cabinet of Ministers on Tuesday, where deliberations were held on a document submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

An organization established by the Georgetown Agreement in 1975, the OACPS carries the objectives of sustainable development, poverty reduction and ensuring greater integration of member countries within the world’s economy.

Maldives participating in the organization would mean its relations with Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific will be solidified. It will also allow the archipelago nation to play a bigger role in international forums on issues of national interest such as climate change.

It will also pave the way for Maldives to secure funding for development projects and contribute to improved cooperation between the OACPS and European Union institutions. This in turn, will ease negotiations for better prices for Maldivian fish exports and to obtain Schengen visas for travel

If Maldives’ entry into the organization is accepted, it will become the 80th member state of OACPS.

Currently, Maldives is the only small island nation deemed a developing nation, that is not a member of the organization.