The mandates of media and civil society organizations have once again come under the purview of the Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology. They were under the Homeland Ministry since its inception during former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's government and brought over to the Youth Ministry by this government.
Media and civil society organizations were made a part of the Homeland Ministry's new mandate on Tuesday, when President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu reshuffled the Cabinet, changed the name of the ministry to the "Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology" and publicized it via a statement from the President's Office.
As per the statement, the outlining of policies for the development of print and electronic media in Maldives and facilitating the growth of the industry is the responsibility of the Homeland Ministry.
Along with that, the journalists of Maldives are to be registered, with the responsibility of overseeing the register being under the Homeland Ministry as well.
In the Homeland Ministry's capacity as the parent ministry of civil society organizations, their tasks include making arrangements to fulfill their responsibility of tending to the registrar and aiding them in that regard. It is the responsibility of the Homeland Ministry to expand the roles of the organizations and to be in charge of their growth as well. The list from the President's Office includes other services the ministry is to be responsible for.
Responsibilities regarding civil society organizations
- The Homeland Ministry is to be responsible for the registrar appointed under the Associations Act and to make any arrangements therein, along with providing aid wherever it is needed.
- Expand the role of the associations and work on their growth.
- To increase public interest in the organizations activities and increase public participation in said activities.
- To provide the information and hold discussions required for the associations in their efforts to acquire professional and financial aid whether it be local or foreign, to coordinate the associations efforts in acquiring aid and to monitor how the aid is being utilized.
- To work in strengthening relations between state-owned enterprises, private companies and associations as most of their work includes projects aimed at national development.
- To establish a system regarding developmental efforts from state-owned enterprises, private companies and associations and to coordinate said efforts
- To act as a mediator between relevant state-owned enterprises and organizations when they conduct projects together.
- In regards to sectors that the government has no involvement in, to collaborate with the associations on projects that the government, via associations, wants to move forward with.
- To establish a national forum of associations.
When the current government was established, there were 20 ministers in total, with them being reduced to 15 on Tuesday.
As per the President's Office, the only ministry that was newly formed is the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy.
The ministries that have been merged are the Social and Family Development Ministry, Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry, Higher Education, Labor and Skills Development Ministry, Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts Ministry, Cities Local Government and Public Works Ministry and the Agriculture and Animal Welfare Ministry, as was said by the President's Office.
Newly formed ministries
- Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises
- Ministry of Defense and National Service
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology
- Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises
- Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development
- Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare
- Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade
- Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowments
- Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation
- Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness
- Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage
- Ministry of Infrastructure, Urban and Housing Development
- Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources
- Attorney General's Office
- Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy
Some of the ministries have been merged as the Cabinet was recomposed.
