Maldives should match Estonia’s 2nd press freedom ranking: Pres. Muizzu

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has declared that the Maldives should strive to reach Estonia’s high standard, ranking second globally in press freedom.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 2.0 Digital Transformation Summit on Friday, Muizzu said that Estonia is ranked 2nd in press freedom and that digitalization plays a very important role in achieving this. He said that to bring the Maldives to that level, he will work to fully utilize digitalization to make it a place that provides responsible and quick service in providing and receiving information.

Muizzu said that in the effort to make the Maldives a developed country with everyone's enthusiasm, corruption needs to be eliminated. He highlighted the importance of digitalizing the country's governance system to achieve this. At the same time, he noted that Estonia is one of the countries that has most fully achieved digitalization and thanked the Estonian government for providing assistance in the work to digitalize the Maldives.

Shedding light on how corruption can be eliminated through digitalization, Muizzu noted that a very transparent system can be established through digitalization. He also noted that work will be done to make the current ID card a smart, digital card that includes access to all services. He also said that cyber security will be extremely improved, and the service system will be strengthened.

In addition to this, Muizzu highlighted the work being done by his administration to achieve comprehensive, meaningful, and sustainable development. He noted that in addition to physical development, work is being done to improve social issues and implement good governance policies. He also said that he hopes to change three-quarters of the current workforce to work from home by 2028 when digitalization is completed.

Muizzu has called for cooperation in the government's efforts to eliminate corruption and make the country one that the whole world accepts. He also asked everyone to accept this change. He also noted that special legal work is being done to complete digitalization. He also noted that Estonia's experience will be used to tailor things in the most suitable way for the Maldives in completing the entire 'Maldives 2.0' project.

Maldives 2.0 is a national initiative launched to drive transformative digital reform across the country through the collaboration of all state institutions. The program aims to usher the Maldives into a new digital era by delivering fast, secure, and transparent public services. Over the next three years, it seeks to revolutionize the delivery of state services and the administrative operations of public institutions through advanced digital solutions.

The launch ceremony was attended by the Vice President, Speaker of the People’s Majlis, Chief Justice, ministers, and other senior state officials. Experts from the Estonian government also took part in the event, highlighting international collaboration in the initiative.