The relationship between the Maldives and the United States is vital to uphold a rule-based international order in the Indian Ocean, says President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
He made these remarks while delivering a speech as part of the “Dean’s Leadership Series” of Princeton School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University as part of his ongoing visit to the states to attend the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79).
Speaking as part of his visit to Princeton University one of the world's top universities, the Maldivian leader stressed that Maldives wasn’t always recognized for its strategic significance and yet, the island nation has been observing rapid transformation.
Shedding light on his pledge upon assuming office as the eighth president of Maldives in November 2023 that he would transform the country into an inclusive and prosperous society, Muizzu said that its membership at the United Nations is crucial for recognition and acceptance.
For the Maldives, UN membership was crucial for recognition. For acceptance. In October 1965, just three months after our independence, US President Lyndon Johnson announced his intention to nominate Cecil Burton Lyon to serve as Ambassador to the Maldives. This was a decision that was of enormous diplomatic significance for the young country. The relationship between the Maldives and the United States is crucial, in upholding a rule-based international order in the Indian Ocean. Now, some of you might wonder why a partnership between one of the smallest countries in the world and a superpower would be so important. Well, the answer lies in the “changing tides” of the Indian Ocean.”Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Maldives’ President.
Muizzu went on to note that the sea-lines of communication in the Indian Ocean are crucial to global trade and energy security and that one-third of all international bulk cargo traffic goes through the Indian Ocean.
Further highlighting that more than 75 percent of trade between Asia and Europe goes through the Indian Ocean, Muizzu noted that more than 50 percent of the globe’s oil consumption passes through the Indian Ocean as well.
This said, the Maldivian president said that the Indian Ocean is undoubtedly a region that holds great significance.
Situated in the heart of the Indian Ocean, Maldives serves as a key route for frequent trade in the region.
Adding that anyone who would like to have a say and sway the balance of power in the Indian Ocean, would find the Maldives to be an attractive place to influence, Muizzu said that Maldivians are keenly aware of this.
This, he said, is the reason he pledged to uphold and strengthen the Maldives sovereignty and independence during the 2023 presidential election.
President Muizzu stated that the respect for sovereignty and sovereign equality among nations are central principles on which the international order as well as the multilateral system of now, operates.
He said that applying these principles at the regional level, Maldives recognizes the significance of upholding a rule-based order in the Indian Ocean and values the island nation’s role in it.
That is why I promised my fellow Maldivians that I will invest in our capacity to contribute and lead global efforts in strengthening an international order based on the principle of multilateralism. So that we may, above all, safeguard our sovereignty and independence. It is vital for the world that small island states do indeed thrive and prosper. Their interactions with the natural and environmental ecosystems are crucial for the world. We are often the frontline of man’s relationship with environmental challenges and sometimes a bellwether of things to come for other parts of the world.”Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Maldives’ President.
Highlighting that small island states are deemed to support 20 percent of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity and host 40 percent of the world’s coral reefs, Muizzu added that they’re at the frontlines of research and testing in climate change adaption, valuable not only to themselves but to wider humanity.
The Maldivian president added that small island states are custodians of critical local knowledge in how to manage and conserve marine resources and without them, the world would simply not be the same.
Further the president stated that Maldives has stepped up its advocacy for Immediate action in managing the climate crisis and reforming the international financial architecture to help Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) access climate adaptation finance at affordable rates since he assumed office in 2023.
Expressing honor in having co-chaired the intergovernmental negotiations which adopted the programme of actions for SIDS for the next ten years, Muizzu said that Maldives has forged a constructive partnership with the Secretariat of the UN Conference on Trade and Development to help SIDS in building their productive capacity.
He said that Maldives would continue to leverage its leadership which is gaining respect and becoming increasingly relevant and resilient.
Muizzu seeks to achieve these objectives by diversifying the island nation’s economy, amplifying its leadership and advocacy for stronger action to prevent a climate disaster and strengthening our democracy and state-capacity.
Shedding light on efforts to expand Maldives’ economy, the president detailed that he plans to expand sources of revenue by seeking and attracting more foreign investment into the country. For this, he said he has already taken steps to reform the foreign investment promotion and protection regime.
As for efforts to amplify its leadership and advocacy for stronger action to prevent a climate disaster, Muizzu said that the Maldives is synonymous with environmental conservation efforts, sustainability, and climate action and that Maldives has been sounding the alarm on sea level rise for decades.
He said the Maldives is planning to develop smart, climate friendly, and sustainable urban centers in multiple parts of the country including the development of Ras Malé.
Shedding light on strengthening the island nation’s democracy and state-capacity, Muizzu said that it has only been sixteen years since the Maldives transitioned to a multi-party democracy. He said that Maldivian institutions require to mature further and the entire government, system as well as society need to be free from corruption.
Muizzu said that this effort is underway, with the support of the island nation’s valuable partners like the US. He said that the support is necessary for the Maldives, for the US and for the future order in the Indian Ocean, as this order will be decided at its geographical mid-point, which is where the Maldives sits.
