The Maldives is ready to collaborate towards a resilient and prosperous Indian Ocean Region, says Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef.

VP Latheef made this remark while speaking at the opening of the ‘China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation'.

Taking the podium at the event, VP Latheef stated that Maldives stands ready to forge stronger bonds, share expertise, and work hand in hand towards a resilient and prosperous Indian Ocean Region.

Noting that since graduating from the list of LDCs in 2011, Maldives has been actively seeking to strengthen its partnerships in the Indian Ocean and beyond to contribute to peaceful co-existence and prosperity in the region, VP Latheef stated that Maldives has continuously prioritized dialogue, cooperation, peaceful coexistence and close collaboration regionally and globally to achieve common goals.

Highlighting that China has been crucial to the recent development of the island nation, VP Latheef added that the solid mutual commitment of the two countries to a people-centric strategy which aims to promote social development, peace as well as prosperity.

Further, he asserted that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu who assumed his presidential duties recently, is dedicated to fortifying the long-standing relations between China and the Maldives which the vice president said was built on the foundation of mutual respect and shared goals.

The vice president went on to express keen interest to explore new avenues of collaboration and cooperation with China, which will consecutively bring about a dynamic partnership paving way for tangible benefits to the two countries.

VP Latheef also touched upon the fact that Maldives is 99 percent water and only one percent land, highlighting that Maldives understands the severe impact of marine disasters, climate change, global warming, and coastal erosion.

Emphasizing that these are related to the livelihoods of the Maldivian people as the nation depends on marine resources and the blue economy, including the tourism and fisheries industries dependent on a healthy ocean, VP Latheef asserted that the Maldives is resilient despite being vulnerable.

He added that the Maldives remains committed to sustainable development.

In addition to this, the vice president stated that the island nation is committed to take concrete action and explore innovative approaches towards marine protection promoting communities as well as the environment.

Before wrapping up his speech, VP Latheef expressed confidence that the forum would provide a valuable platform to exchange ideas, enhance partnerships and jointly shape the future of the region.

A joint venture between China and the countries of the Indian Ocean Region, this is the second edition of the high-level official development cooperation forum.