News DeskMALÉ, Maldives — The government initiated a pivotal stakeholder consultation on the Personal Data Protection Bill and Cybersecurity Bill, bringing together experts to shape critical digital governance frameworks.
The two-day meeting, orchestrated by the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology in partnership with the National Center for Information Technology (NCIT) and the Digital Maldives for Adaptation, Decentralization and Diversification (DMED) project, represents a strategic approach to digital policy development.
Minister of State Dr. Mohammed Kinanat opened the consultation, expressing gratitude to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Minister Ali Ihsan for their technological leadership. “These bills aim to protect and safeguard our personal information through a robust framework,” Dr. Kinanat said, emphasizing the legislation’s vision of empowering citizens in the digital landscape.
The consultation drew participants from government and state agencies, private and public sector partners, a special World Bank team, and the National Cyber Security Agency. Deputy Minister Abdullah Hussain introduced the Personal Data Protection Bill, while interactive sessions allowed stakeholders to exchange perspectives on the proposed legislation.
World Bank representatives conducted additional sessions, with National Cyber Security Agency Chief Executive Dr. Ahmed Naufal Abdul Hadi set to present the Cybersecurity Bill on Monday. The initiative is being funded by a World Bank grant, highlighting international support for the Maldives’ digital transformation efforts.
Dr. Kinanat stressed the importance of collaborative input, noting that cooperation from all parties is essential to passing these bills and realizing a secure digital future for the Maldives.
The consultation will continue Monday, with ongoing discussions aimed at creating comprehensive digital protection mechanisms.
