Prioritizing the population of atolls is the biggest step towards progress, says Minister of Home Affairs and President of the Local Government Authority, Sheikh Imran Abdulla.

At the opening ceremony of the City and Atoll Council Symposium that began on Sunday morning, Minister Imran stated that the symposium is being held after a two-year hiatus.

The symposium is being held as part of the programme being conducted in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assist President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in fulfilling his pledges to the people.

Amending the decentralization act and empowering councils is one of President Solih’s first-100-day pledges.

Minister Imran expressed hope that the ideas and concepts shared through the symposium will prove to be beneficial in amending the decentralization act as well as laying out a legal framework.