President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the Third Amendment to the Maldives Immigration Act (Law No. 01/2007), following its passage by the People’s Majlis at the 20th sitting of the first session of the year, held on 15 April 2025.

The Amendment introduces a new provision to the Immigration Act, expressly prohibiting the entry of individuals holding Israeli passports into the territory of the Republic of Maldives. The ratification reflects the Government’s firm stance in response to the continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people.

The Government of Maldives reaffirms its resolute solidarity with the Palestinian cause and its enduring commitment to the promotion and protection of the rights of the Palestinian people. The Maldives continues to advocate for accountability for violations of international law and remains vocal across various international platforms in its condemnation of Israel’s actions.

President Dr Muizzu has consistently reiterated the Maldives’ principled support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and international legal norms.

New York, 4 April 2025 – The Maldives has been elected to the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) for the 2026–2030 term, in an election held this morning at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This marks the first international election the Maldives has contested and won under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s leadership—and fittingly, it strengthens the country’s global voice on gender equality.

The Government of Maldives made gender equality a national priority and entered the election with purpose. The country submitted its candidacy to the UN on 31 July 2024, grounded in a clear commitment to advance women’s rights and empowerment. This is the first time the Maldives will serve on the CSW, which sets global standards and policies on women’s rights and gender equality.

The Maldives joins the CSW with ambition and a policy agenda shaped by national experience and resolve. At the national level, the Maldives has strengthened legal protections under the Gender Equality Act and expanded women’s participation in local governance—from 6.1% of seats in 2017 to 39.5% today. Yet challenges persist, especially in workforce participation, and the Government is tackling them through innovation, inclusion, and investment.

In the coming years, the Maldives will help shape the Commission’s agenda by sharing its perspectives, experiences, and priorities. The Commission will focus on transforming care systems in 2026, reviewing progress on SDG 5 and gender mainstreaming in 2027, addressing gender in humanitarian crises in 2028, and advancing access to justice and the elimination of discriminatory laws in 2029. The Maldives will contribute a Small Island Developing States (SIDS) lens and practical solutions—from investing in care infrastructure and reforming legal frameworks to integrating gender in climate policy and harnessing. digital tools to expand opportunity.

This is more than a seat at the table. It’s a platform to drive progress—globally and at home.

The newly appointed Non-Resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Maldives to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Her Excellency Geela Ali, presented her Letter of Credence to the King of the Netherlands, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander. The ceremony took place on 26 March 2025, at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague.

During the audience, Ambassador Geela conveyed greetings and good wishes from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, to the Government and people of the Netherlands. 

Ambassador Geela also reassured the commitment of the Government of Maldives to enhance the bilateral ties between the two countries and to work together to foster closer collaboration in areas of common interest such as climate change, renewable energy and sustainable development.

Ambassador Geela was accompanied by her spouse Mr. Abdulla Mushrif and the First Secretary at the Embassy of Maldives in Brussels, Mr. Mohamed Shaffau Ibrahim.

During her visit to The Hague, Ambassador Geela is also scheduled to meet with senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.