Maldives to host first-ever Model United Nations conference

For the first time, the Asia Youth International Model United Nations (AYIMUN) conference is set to be held in the Maldives. 

The event is organized by the International Global Network, an organization that has previously hosted similar events in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam, the conference will take place from May 15–16, 2026, at Kurumba Maldives resort, with the closing ceremony scheduled at CROSSROADS Maldives. 

This conference simulates United Nations debates and resolution-drafting processes, and applications are now open for interested students. While the event is open to international participants, a total of 50 slots have been reserved specifically for Maldivian students.

Mohamed Saleem, the coordinator appointed by MUN to oversee the event in the Maldives, told Mihaaru that they expect 250 students from various countries to participate. 

"A delegation along with the President of IGN (International Global Network) visited the Maldives regarding the organization of this conference. They departed after meeting with government officials, MATI (Maldives Association of Tourism Industry), industry stakeholders they wished to consult, and school principals. Discussions were also held concerning the venue, dates, room accommodations, and catering rates for the conference," Saleem said.

Previously, Maldivian students had to travel abroad to attend such conferences, but this local edition offers a special discounted rate of USD 799 per student, which includes pre-conference training.

Saleem noted that the Maldives has historically missed out on hosting such large-scale conferences due to a lack of specialized facilities for "conference tourism" and high-capacity venues. 

"One reason was the lack of someone to take the lead on this. The other reason is that the Maldives lacks the facilities required to host such large-scale conferences. In Malaysia, they held a conference with a capacity for 1,500 people. There, they would be seated at round tables, but in the Maldives, neither Nasandhura nor Kurumba, where most such events are held, has that kind of capacity," Saleem said.

"The Maldives is not primarily prepared for this type of conference tourism. It is quite rare in the Maldives to host conferences of this scale because of the lack of space and capacity," Saleem added.

The upcoming conference will feature specific councils tailored to different age groups:

Applicants will undergo an interview process, and the final 50 Maldivian participants will be selected based on their performance. 

Saleem expressed his gratitude to the government and tourism industry leaders for their support in bringing this prestigious youth event to the Maldives.