President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih convened his Cabinet of Ministers on Tuesday to brief them about his successful visit to attend the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda.
The meeting held at the President's Office saw the President briefing his minister on his visit to Rwanda to attend the CHOGM 2022, as this was the first such meeting since the Maldives’ re-accession to the alliance.
The Maldives initially joined the Commonwealth of Nations on July 9, 1982, but withdrew membership on October 13, 2016. The Commonwealth accepted the Maldives’ application for re-admission on February 1, 2020, welcoming it as the 54th member and marking the fulfilment of one of President Solih’s administration’s inaugural pledges.
CHOGM 2022 was held from June 20 to June 25, 2022. The CHOGM 2022 was themed around "Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming."
The Maldivian president was received by the Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi upon his arrival at Kigali International Airport.
The first couple attended the official opening ceremony of the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), held at the Kigali Convention Centre, Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday.
The official opening was followed by high-level meetings of the delegates to discuss collaboration on topics ranging from trade to health to climate. CHOGM also featured four forums, ministerial meetings, side events and other activities.
President Solih’s attendance cements further his administration’s continued commitment to cooperate with the international fora on shared goals such as democracy, peace, and prosperity. It also represents participation by the Maldives in the international community to strengthen cooperation on environmental protection, trade growth, democracy support, and education and gender equality.
President Solih also took this opportunity to promote the voice of the small island states on a global platform.
Further, the first couple also attended the Official Welcome Reception and State Dinner hosted by the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, and First Lady Jeannette Kagame in honour of the visiting high-level delegates.
The Rwandan President hosted the Official Welcome Reception and State Dinner at the "Kigali Convention Centre"
They also attended the banquet hosted by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
President Solih and First Lady Fazna joined the heads of delegations from the Commonwealth nations for the banquet on Friday.
As part of the trip, the president also met the Mauritius PM on Friday at the Kigali Marriott Hotel in Rwanda.
The Maldivian president also met with Minister of External Affairs of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, where discussions were held on the enhanced bilateral relations between Maldives and India.
Additionally, the President attended a luncheon hosted by the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, on behalf of the Queen, for the newly appointed heads of government from the Commonwealth Nations on Friday.
Following the luncheon, the president joined other Commonwealth Heads of Government and their representatives as they came together for a group photograph.
According to the President’s Office, the president’s visit to Rwanda mirrors the incumbent administration’s commitment to engage with the international community, especially with the Commonwealth member states, in promoting democracy, human rights, good governance, multilateralism and world peace.
The incumbent administration seeks to engage in the exchange of expertise and assistance with regard to building inclusive, resilient and environmentally conscious communities through such multilateral forums.
President Solih held bilateral meetings with other world leaders to strengthen the Maldives’ role in the international community, advance its shared interests and contribute to resolving global issues on the sidelines of the meeting.
During the meeting in Kigali where leaders from 54 countries gathered, discussions revolved around youth, women, business and civil society.
The world leaders also engaged in private discussions at the Commonwealth Leaders Retreat, regarding collaboration on the global platform and Commonwealth priorities.
Furthermore, the cabinet meeting also saw deliberations on the current state of affairs in the country. As such, the President briefed the ministers on the findings of the Cabinet subcommittee investigating the disruption of an event held at the National Stadium on June 21, 2022. The Cabinet also discussed the latest updates on the Covid-19 pandemic and the recently announced "Gedhoruveriya" and "Binveriya" housing schemes.
