The 'Maldives 2.0' Digital Transformation Summit concluded on Sunday, marking a significant step in the government's ambitious effort to modernise public services and administration through technology. Over three days, policymakers, industry leaders, and international experts convened at Barceló Nasandhura to discuss the nation's digital future and outline a strategy for transformative change.
At the heart of the summit was the formal presentation of the National Digital Declaration to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who attended the closing ceremony as the guest of honour. The document, compiled from discussions among key stakeholders, sets forth the government's commitment to advancing digital infrastructure and governance.
The Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, presented the ceremonial conferral to President Muizzu in the presence of senior officials, including Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla, and Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan. Cabinet ministers, senior government officials, and dignitaries, including representatives from the Estonian government, were also in attendance.
The 'Maldives 2.0' initiative is a cornerstone of the president's strategic vision, designed to drive sweeping digital reforms across all sectors and institutions. Launched under the president's special initiative, the project seeks to unify state institutions in the pursuit of fast, secure, and transparent services, ushering the Maldives into a new digital era.
With a three-year timeline, the government aims to implement smart digital reforms and innovations that will streamline public services and transform institutional administration. The overarching goal is to establish a digitally connected future, integrating accessible technology across the islands while elevating service standards.
Throughout the summit, discussions centred on several critical policy areas. Strengthening cybersecurity emerged as a key priority, with an emphasis on safeguarding national digital infrastructure. Participants examined ways to facilitate secure digital transactions through internationally standardised digital IDs, ensuring seamless and protected exchanges. Another major focus was the development of a data exchange layer to enable timely and secure sharing of personal information between state institutions, improving efficiency and accessibility.
The summit also addressed the establishment of a sovereign cloud for the secure storage and archiving of sensitive government data, reinforcing the need for robust digital security measures. Delivering citizen-centric digital services under a unified framework was highlighted as a crucial step towards improving accessibility and convenience. Additionally, discussions centred on preparing a digitally proficient workforce equipped for future technological advancements, ensuring that Maldivians are well-positioned to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Expanding opportunities for Maldivians and local businesses in the ICT sector was another key theme, with a focus on fostering innovation and economic growth. The event featured three keynote speakers, discussions on ten papers, and a special panel discussion during the opening ceremony.
Tradenet Maldives Managing Director Saeeda Umar described the summit as a resounding success, highlighting the participation of high-ranking state officials and ministries, as well as the depth of technical and constructive discussions. "The commitment of relevant authorities to achieving the goals of 'Maldives 2.0' was clearly evident," Umar said.
"There was a strong consensus on the necessity of close collaboration in digitalisation, and participants put forward a significant proposal for future summits to incorporate participation and experience-sharing from countries with advanced expertise in this field," she added. In response to this proposal and to ensure sustained progress, President Muizzu has decided to establish the 'Maldives 2.0' Digital Transformation Summit as an annual event.
Government officials anticipate that the reforms introduced through this initiative will enable services to be accessed with just a few clicks, eliminating physical and digital queues. The envisioned transformation aims to replace fragmented administrative systems with a seamlessly connected network, ensuring that citizens can access services efficiently across the country.