Maldives and Japan are scheduled to hold its third round of Policy Dialogue on Thursday.

Due to the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic, the dialogue will be hosted virtually, with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel leading the Maldives delegation while Kobayashi Kenichi, the Director-General, Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan will lead the delegation from Japan.

Both countries are scheduled to engage in discussions on avenues to further enhance existing bilateral relations, including on the development and economic cooperation between Japan and Maldives.

Participants will also discuss Covid-19 prevention, matters related to tourism and travel and issues of mutual concern and shared interest in the international and region sphere.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the government’s keen interest in continuing dialogue with development partners, especially “close friends” such as Japan, as the island nation embarks on a path of resilience and recovering at the heels of the devastating impacts of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic, on the country’s economy.

The last Policy Dialogue between Maldives and Japan was held in August, 2019.

With an aim to explore ways for future cooperation, to exchange ideas and to deliberate on economic cooperation, Maldives and Japan regularly hold bilateral discussions.