Australia’s first resident High Commissioner to the Maldives David Jessup speaks with The Edition about his experiences in his first year in the Maldives.
Australia’s first resident High Commissioner to the Maldives, David Jessup, has completed his first year of diplomacy in the Maldives after presenting his credentials on July 24, 2023.
Over the past year, the High Commissioner’s journey has been one of building foundations and fostering connections, with a vision for a robust future of bilateral cooperation.
David's tenure coincides with the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations between Australia and the Maldives, which has provided opportunities to raise the profile of the bilateral relationship.
David Jessup's diplomatic career spans decades, characterized by various exciting missions and enriching experiences.
"I've been a diplomat for many years now, and I've been very fortunate to have numerous exciting postings abroad," David said.
His first position in the foreign ministry involved working on the bilateral relationship with the Maldives. "It's taken many years, but I've really gone full circle, and it's wonderful now to be back working on the bilateral relationship with the Maldives," he said.
David’s passion for international relations was ignited during his high school years when he spent 12 months in Sweden as a Rotary exchange student. "It really made me think a lot about the world and international relations. I decided at that point that I was going to be a diplomat," he said.
Establishing the High Commission has been a significant achievement for David. Previously, Australia was represented in the Maldives from Colombo, Sri Lanka.
"We've had to really start from scratch and build the office. It's been challenging, but my team has been very supportive, especially our local staff, who have been instrumental in navigating the local context" he said.
Despite geographical differences, Jessup reflected on the similarities between Australia and the Maldives.
"We're both relaxed, friendly people, which is perhaps why so many Maldivians feel comfortable living in Australia," he said.
Both nations face challenges related to climate change, with Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and the Maldives’ coral reefs experiencing significant coral bleaching over the years.
Speaking on climate change mitigation and resilience-building efforts, the High Commissioner said, "We're very keen to keep collaborating with the Maldives on climate change issues. There's a lot of expertise in Australia, particularly around reefs and coral protection, that we can share."
David noted that the most fulfilling aspect of his role is engaging with people and communities. "Engaging with people and looking for opportunities to make connections between Australia and the Maldives is really rewarding," he said.
The High Commissioner’ enthusiasm for building these connections is profound as he speaks about the warm welcome he received in the Maldives. "Maldivian people are incredibly generous and hospitable. My wife and I are absolutely thrilled to be here."
David and his wife Jane have enjoyed visiting local islands and immersing themselves in Maldivian culture. "Over the Eid celebrations, I spent time on Kamadhoo. It was special to experience the Boduberu drummers and traditional dance. The community spirit was just so impressive," he reflected.
He highlights a climate change project in Baa Atoll's Hithaadhoo, where the community developed an initiative to protect the shoreline using tetra pods and mangrove planting.
"It was wonderful to see the community coming together to protect the vulnerable shoreline," he said.
David noted how his visits have created opportunities for new Australian initiatives in the Maldives. “I visited Kulhudhuffushi and spoke to local youth and leaders about youth mental health programs.”
"We had Australian experts, including Professor Patrick McGorry, a world-renowned expert in youth mental health, come to the Maldives. We developed a program around mental health, including a camp in Kulhudhuffushi, which saw over a thousand people come together," he said.
With high praise for Maldivian culture, the High Commissioner said that he is eager to travel more to local islands and meet more Maldivians.
"I want to get a better understanding of the challenges that Maldives faces and how Australia can help contribute to the overall development of the country," he said.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and the Maldives, a significant milestone strengthening ties and deepening connections.
"One of the biggest highlights was the event in January to commemorate the 50 years of diplomatic relations. We collaborated with the Maldives National University and the hospitality school to put on an amazing event that celebrated the strong people-to-people connections between our countries," David highlighted.
The bilateral relationship between Australia and the Maldives is anchored in strong people-to-people links, particularly through education. Over 700 Maldivians have received scholarships from Australia; and many more Maldivians have studied in Australia on Maldivian government scholarships or as self-funded scholars.
"The alumni network of Maldivians who have studied in Australia is huge, creating a strong bond that we can build on," David added.
Looking ahead, David’s priorities include continuing to build on the strong people-to-people links and expanding areas of collaboration.
"We're looking to expand beyond education and our recent agreement to contribute to the Maldives' 20-year national development plan is a significant step," he said.
"We're also looking to expand into areas like defense cooperation, maritime security, good governance, and climate change," the High Commissioner added.
"We [Australia and the Maldives] want to ensure that the Indo-Pacific region is peaceful, stable, and prosperous," Jessup concluded.
As David marks his first year as the Australian High Commissioner to the Maldives, his reflections and plans underscore a commitment to deepening the bonds between Australia and the Maldives.
Through education, cultural exchange, and collaborative efforts on pressing global issues like climate change, Jessup's tenure is shaping up to be a significant chapter in the history of Australia-Maldives relations.
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