Teburoro Tito, Ambassador of Kiribati to the United States of America and Maldives Vice President Faisal Naseem have discussed mutual development goals shared between both countries.

Kiribati’s former President and ex-Foreign Minister Tito paid a courtesy call on VP Naseem at the President’s Office on Monday afternoon.

The pair discussed development priorities such as strengthening governance and state institutions as well as improving economy alongside providing equal opportunities for women in all socio-economic spheres.

VP Naseem and Ambassador Tito further discussed several challenges both countries share in common as small island states and fellow members of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), particularly regarding the threats climate change pose.

During the call, VP Naseem wished Tito, who is also Kiribati's current Permanent Representative to the United Nations Offices in New York success in fulfilling his mandate to his people.

In turn, Tito wished the Vice President, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and his administration all the best in fulfilling their pledges to the Maldivian people.