Maldives officially endorses China's "Global Development Initiative"
27 ސެޕްޓެމްބަރު 2026 | އާދީއްތަ 10:58The Vice President has affirmed the Maldives' support for China's Global Development Initiative, describing it as a crucial step toward achieving sustainable development goals. Highlighting the positive impact of Chinese-funded projects on the Maldivian economy, he further called for enhanced international solidarity to overcome debt burdens and address the pressing challenges of climate change.
Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, September 25, 2026. | getty images
The Maldives has officially endorsed the China-led "Global Development Initiative" (GDI).
Addressing the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef stated that the relationship between the Maldives and China serves as a model for how mutual respect and cooperation can advance national interests and sustainable development. The Vice President further noted that the Maldives highly values China's commitment to the Global Development Initiative (GDI), an international framework proposed by President Xi Jinping to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Vice President highlighted that key infrastructure projects undertaken in the Maldives with Chinese assistance have significantly enhanced national connectivity and driven substantial socio-economic progress. Furthermore, he called for strengthened solidarity among developing nations to effectively overcome pressing challenges, such as the burden of debt and the impacts of climate change.
The Maldives' endorsement of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) comes at a time when bilateral relations between the two nations were elevated to a "Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership" earlier this year. This move underscores the strengthening economic and diplomatic ties between Male' and Beijing.
