News Desk
New York, —In a forceful address at the United Nations General Assembly, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu laid out an ambitious vision for the Maldives’ economic transformation, calling on global financial institutions to move beyond seeing the Maldives as a mere recipient of aid. His message was clear: the Maldives seeks real partnership, not dependence.
“The Maldives is gearing up for an economic transformation that will change lives,” Muizzu declared. “But our policies can only deliver results with sufficient international financial support.” His tone was direct, emphasizing that the Maldives has always taken ownership of its development, but is now asking for multilateral development funds, banks, and bilateral donors to rethink their approach.
Muizzu called on global institutions to adopt tailored and mutually beneficial strategies. “Stop looking at our inherent vulnerabilities as limitations,” he urged, pushing for financial systems that work with, not against, small nations like the Maldives. “We need your lending to be targeted, affordable, and responsible. Make your terms flexible, your financing less rigid, and reduce the cost of borrowing.”
His critique wasn’t just about fairness, but about survival. He laid out how current international financial policies—often rigid and expensive—penalize smaller, more vulnerable nations. “The Maldives has always taken ownership and responsibility for its own development.,” Muizzu said, calling for a system that supports the specific challenges and ambitions of small island states.
Muizzu’s message to development banks and donors was a stark departure from the traditional aid-reliant narrative. “We urge you to view us as your partners, not just recipients of aid,” he stated, calling for a relationship based on equality. For the Maldives, this is about more than loans and grants—it’s about creating a sustainable path to development, with fairer financing options that reflect the country’s reality.
For the Maldivian people, Muizzu’s speech resonates deeply. It’s not just about the global stage—it’s about national pride and self-reliance. His words echoed a growing sentiment that the Maldives, and other small nations like it, deserve a seat at the table—one where they are treated as equals, not afterthoughts.
