The incumbent administration remains committed to factor in and consider public concerns in all developmental aspects.

This was revealed by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, in his remarks at the opening ceremony of the "Viavathi Raajje" conference held in Ukulhas island of Alif Alif atoll, on Saturday.

Reaffirming the public of his commitment to consider public concerns in all developmental aspects, the president revealed he held 77 meetings in total, with local council representatives throughout 2021 for discussions on atoll and island development matters.

Providing details of the meetings, the president noted that island councils across the Maldives were facing similar issues such as financial restraints that hinder the budget for developmental plans, as well as challenges to formulate a land-use plan and lack of adequate resources for Women’s Development Committees (WDCs).

Noting that the main purpose of “Viavathi Raajje” conference was for policymakers, councils and WDC representatives to gather and deliberate on ways to resolve these issues, the president shed light on the administration’s efforts to ensure the fiscal and legal autonomy of local councils for which the Decentralization Act’s eighth amendment was ratified in December 2019.

Stating that he remains committed to decentralized development, President Solih said that all of his policies revolve around this concept.

As such, the president said that by prioritizing decentralization, each island will reap the benefits of developmental progress while concurrently easing the burden on the congested capital Malé City.

With this, he shed light on the important and pivotal role councils play in implementing the policies.

Further, the president acknowledged drug-related issues, gang crimes and climate change, describing them to be looming challenges facing the country presently.

President Solih stressed that in-depth discussions regarding these issues at the conference is essential, as faster results in achieving progress will be achieved by resolving these issues.

He went on to reiterate his commitment to unbiased development across the country and to prioritize the public’s needs.

President Solih extended gratitude to the residents of Ukulhas, stating that it was a privilege to host the conference in the island.

The president arrived in Ukulhas island on Friday afternoon and invited city council mayors, island council presidents as well as the presidents of Women’s Development Committees (WDCs) from central atolls for the second edition of the conference.

The conference is also joined by government ministers, policy executives from the President’s Office alongside technical experts from multiple institutions.

At the first edition of the "Viavathi Raajje" conference on 15 December 2019, President Solih signed the eighth amendment to the Decentralization Act into law.

With this, more fiscal and legal autonomy for local councils was authorized.

The second edition of the meeting is being hosted by the president in Ukulhas, and this is the first time a high level conference is held since the amendment was ratified.

The conference seeks to pave the opportunity to review the existing structures and find avenues for improvement.

Further, it also presents an opportunity for the incumbent administration to confer its policies to ensure good governance.

Four sessions will be featured in the two-day conference, with presentations and discussions on various topics revolving around fiscal and legal autonomy, formulating land-use plans, the role of WDCs, crime prevention, social welfare as well as climate resilience

The conference will also allow representatives of the council and WDCs to present their concerns to the president and hold discussions regarding solutions.