Empowering youth is a vital investment in realizing the national vision: Vice President

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has stated that the youth are the primary drivers of national development, emphasizing that empowering them with opportunities is a vital investment in realizing the nation's vision.

The Vice President made these remarks while addressing Executive Session 2 of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) currently underway in Antigua and Barbuda.

Speaking at the meeting, he highlighted the Maldives' key development goals aimed at building a more resilient nation.

The Vice President stated that the people, particularly the youth, are the primary drivers of national development and the rightful beneficiaries of its progress. He further emphasized that equipping young people with skills, knowledge, and opportunities is a vital investment in transforming this vision into a reality.

The Vice President stated that the government has set ambitious targets to transform the Maldives into a developed nation by 2040. Key objectives include ensuring the digital economy accounts for 15 percent of the GDP by 2030 and transitioning 33 percent of the country's energy production to renewable sources by 2028.

Furthermore, the Vice President highlighted three key areas where the Commonwealth will prioritize resilient partnerships.

This involves enhancing institutional capacity and empowering individuals to take initiative, fostering self-reliance while respecting national objectives, and translating collective efforts into practical actions to address the challenges ahead.

The Vice President stated that a stronger Commonwealth is one that empowers member nations to advance based on their own sovereignty and internal capabilities.

He emphasized that beyond immediate needs, sustainable capacity building and cooperation must respect national interests, asserting that every nation should have the autonomy to determine its own developmental trajectory. Furthermore, he called for enhanced collaboration in sharing expertise, providing practical assistance, and developing joint solutions to address challenges ranging from climate resilience to digital transformation.

Furthermore, the Vice President noted that global supply chain disruptions and economic risks are narrowing the opportunities for nations to invest in their long-term development goals. He also emphasized that, during such challenging times, the Commonwealth can play a pivotal role in supporting national efforts through partnerships aimed at enhancing resilience.