Maldives' success will be measured by lives improved: President Muizzu

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said today that the Maldives' success will be measured by the lives improved, and not technological advancements alone. He emphasized the key roles that digitalization and innovation play in the development of the country.

President Muizzu made these statements while speaking at today's event organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UN Maldives, titled "Summit of the Future Side Event: A Vision for an Intelligence-Driven Future for Maldives". This is a side event planned in the lead up to the Summit of the Future which will be held in New Yok on September 22nd and 23rd.

Along with the President, Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer, UN Resident Coordinator to the Maldives Bradley James Busetto and other senior officials attended today's event.

The embrace of digitalization is not only for the purpose of broadening economic prospects, but also to improve Maldivians' quality of life, the President said in his speech. He also highlighted the crucial role digitalization played in combating the effects of climate change and promoting environmental sustainability, such as with early warning systems and other smart technologies.

“Through initiatives like the Digital Maldives Program, we are equipping our youth with the skills needed to succeed in the digital economy. Equally, we are ensuring that our women, the backbone of our society, have equal access to these opportunities,” he said.

The President went on to state that the establishment of the Maldives Development Bank would contribute towards challenges in funding.

“One of our major hurdles is a lack of capital, which is why I spearheaded the establishment of the Maldives Development Bank. This institution will focus on financing projects that support digital innovation, sustainability, and both economic and social development,” he said.

In his speech, President Muizzu also pointed out that digitalization should not be perceived as just a tool, but as a means to facilitate a resilient future.

He went on to emphasize the importance of working with global authorities to strengthen cyber security and data protection, as well as to tackle the spread of misinformation.

Summit of the Future is a high-level event organized by the United Nations which aims to bring together world leaders to discuss collaborative efforts to build a better future.