The Maldives has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and age-responsive development at the 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), which commenced in Bangkok under the theme “Leaving no one behind: advancing a society for all ages in Asia and the Pacific”.
The Maldivian delegation is being led by Mohamed Azad, Accountant General at the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, who addressed the General Debate.
In his statement, Mohamed Azad highlighted the country’s commitment to inclusive development that responds to demographic change, describing it as an emerging reality for Small Island Developing States.
He outlined a number of national efforts, including the implementation of the National Ageing Policy and the National Action Plan on Ageing (2025–2028). The delegation also pointed to continued investments in universal healthcare, social protection, and measures to address non-communicable diseases.
He further emphasised initiatives aimed at strengthening the labour market through skills development, supporting working families, and increasing women’s participation in the workforce. He noted efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment through targeted programmes such as the “Fashaa Madhadhu” Loan Scheme.
The delegation also drew attention to the Maldives’ focus on climate action, including renewable energy and resilience-building measures. It underscored the importance of data-driven policymaking and ongoing efforts towards digital transformation under the Maldives 2.0 strategy.
Meanwhile, the Maldives’ Permanent Representative to ESCAP, Huda Ali Shareef, is chairing the Intergovernmental Working Group meetings held alongside the session, facilitating negotiations among Member States on draft resolutions and decisions.
The 82nd session of UNESCAP is scheduled to conclude on 24 April 2026.