New building for Maritime Rescue Coordination Center, initiated in 2022, officially opens
27 ޖުލައި 2026 | ހޯމަ 10:21President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has officially inaugurated the new Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Villimalé. Developed with the assistance of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Australian government, the state-of-the-art facility is equipped with modern resources to coordinate maritime and aviation emergencies, alongside dedicated spaces for specialized training.
From the opening ceremony of the Maldives National Defence Force's new Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre building. | Presidents Office
The new building for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), for which the foundation stone was laid in 2022, has been officially inaugurated.
The ceremony took place on Monday morning in Villimalé.
The building was officially inaugurated by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Defence and National Security Hassan Rasheed and the Chief of Defence Force, Major General Ibrahim Hilmy.
The President's Office stated that the new MRCC building was developed by the government, with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) playing a leading role in coordinating the project. The Australian government also provided assistance in establishing the necessary equipment and facilities required for the services provided at the center.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) serves as the primary hub for coordinating efforts to safeguard lives and property during maritime and aviation emergencies within the territorial waters and airspace of the Maldives.
The foundation stone for this building was laid in 2022.
The newly inaugurated MRCC building features a state-of-the-art operations room designed to coordinate maritime and aviation search and rescue efforts. Additionally, the facility includes dedicated classrooms and an auditorium to facilitate human resource development and specialized training programs.
The inauguration ceremony of the new MRCC building was attended by the Japanese Ambassador, Ishigami Rumiko, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Hao Zheng. Also in attendance were senior foreign diplomats, cabinet ministers, high-ranking government officials, and senior leadership and officers of the Maldives National Defence Force.
