President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said today that strong governance, transparency and accountability are essential for small island developing states (SIDS) to build resilience against climate change and economic challenges.
He described accountability as "a strategic national asset" rather than simply an administrative obligation.
Speaking at the closing session of the SIDS Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) Symposium and the opening of the IDI Global Summit 2026 in Ukulhas, President Muizzu said discussions during the symposium had focused on issues that would shape the future of island nations, including financing resilience, responsible governance, strengthening public trust and achieving sustainable development.
"As I understood, your conversations here have gone far beyond technical discussions," he said.
"They have addressed questions that will define the future of SIDS... These are not merely policy questions. They are questions of survival."
Highlighting the impact of climate change on island nations, President Muizzu said it was no longer a distant threat but "a daily reality" that affects economies, infrastructure, coastlines and communities.
"Yet if climate change is our greatest shared challenge, good governance must become our greatest shared strength," he said.
President Muizzu argued that resilience should be measured not only by physical infrastructure such as seawalls, but also by the strength of public institutions, responsible fiscal management and citizens' trust in government.
"This is why the work of Supreme Audit Institutions has never been more important," he said.
He said governments around the world are investing heavily in climate adaptation, infrastructure, digital transformation and social development, making effective oversight increasingly important.
"Every dollar entrusted by citizens, and every dollar provided by development partners, must achieve its intended purpose," he said.
"Accountability is therefore not an administrative obligation. It is a strategic national asset."
President Muizzu added that strong oversight builds confidence, attracts investment and accelerates development, ultimately strengthening national resilience.
Referring to the economic challenges facing many SIDS, President Muizzu said governments must balance investment in long-term development with debt management and emergency response while protecting vulnerable communities.
He said the Maldives had continued to honour its financial obligations despite global economic uncertainty while investing in national development.
"Our experience reinforces an important lesson. Economic resilience is not achieved by avoiding challenges. It is achieved by governing wisely through them," he said.
The President also highlighted digital transformation as a key opportunity for island nations to overcome geographical and capacity constraints.
He said the government's Maldives 2.0 vision aims to build a citizen centered digital state, with technology serving as a tool to transform governance rather than simply digitize services.
"Technology is therefore not simply an innovation agenda. It is a governance agenda. It is a development agenda. And for many SIDS, it is a resilience agenda," he said.
President Muizzu also stressed the link between environmental protection and economic prosperity, saying the Maldives' marine environment forms the foundation of its economy.
"Our oceans, coral reefs, fisheries and marine ecosystems are not only treasures of nature. They are pillars of our national economy," he said, adding that protecting natural resources requires effective governance, implementation and public oversight.
Calling for greater cooperation among island nations, President Muizzu said no SIDS could overcome today's challenges alone.
"But together, we possess collective wisdom, collective experience and collective determination," he said.
He concluded by urging SIDS to continue strengthening integrity, accountability, transparency and innovation, saying the decisions made today would determine the future of coming generations.
"Let this gathering be remembered as a moment when Small Island Developing States reaffirmed that good governance is the foundation of sustainable development, that accountability is the currency of trust, and that together we can transform vulnerability into opportunity," President Muizzu said.
