Ref: 2025/PR/32
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has successfully concluded the 5th Round of Maldives-Japan Policy Dialogue, which was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives today.
The Maldivian delegation was led by Foreign Secretary, Fathimath Inaya and the Japanese Delegation was led by Mr. Miyamoto Shingo, Assistant Minister and Director-General, Southeast and Southwest Asian Department. The dialogue built on the momentum of four prior dialogues, reflecting a mutual commitment to advancing tangible outcomes in areas of mutual interest.
The Dialogue focused on enhancing the already close relations and friendship between the two countries, especially through economic and development cooperation, in trade and investment, cultural exchanges, and in regional and maritime cooperation.
On economic cooperation, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to fostering mutual growth and development, exploring new avenues for collaboration to enhance economic and commercial ties. Japan has been a key development partner of the Maldives over the past decades, contributing greatly to the early foundations of the Maldives’ development journey, especially in the education and fisheries sectors.
On regional and international cooperation, the dialogue addressed collaborative approaches to ensuring stability in the Indian Ocean region, with a focus on maritime security, climate resilience, and multilateral diplomacy. Maldives reaffirmed its support for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, that is inclusive and founded on the rules-based international order to counter transnational threats and achieve sustainable development goals.
Both countries also reaffirmed their commitment to improve cultural ties and to work closely in the international arena on a range of issues from UN Security Council reforms, climate change, and the Situation in Palestine.
The Maldives–Japan Policy Dialogue serves as a key platform to exchange views on shared priorities, assess ongoing initiatives, and explore new opportunities for enhanced bilateral cooperation. The last Policy Dialogue was held in Tokyo, Japan on 04 April 2023.
ENDS.