President Dr Mohamed Muizzu says transparency, accountability and innovation are essential for building prosperous nations and ensuring sustainable development.
The President made the remarks while addressing the closing ceremony of the Small Island Developing States Supreme Audit Institutions, or SIDS-SAI, Symposium, and the opening of the INTOSAI Development Initiative, IDI, Global Summit.
In his address, President Muizzu said lasting prosperity is built on strong institutions, responsible financial management and transparent governance. He stressed that public confidence in government depends on accountability, making the work of supreme audit institutions more important than ever.
The President said every contribution made by citizens and development partners to the State must be used for its intended purpose. He described accountability as more than an administrative responsibility, saying it is a key pillar of national progress.
He added that countries seeking long-term prosperity must continue to strengthen transparency, uphold openness, reinforce accountability and embrace innovation. According to the President, these are the foundations for building resilient economies, stronger democracies and better opportunities for future generations.
Speaking about the challenges faced by Small Island Developing States, President Muizzu said many island nations are working to reduce debt while continuing to invest in their future. At the same time, they must prepare for unexpected crises, protect vulnerable communities and maintain steady economic growth.
Despite global economic uncertainty and external pressures, the President said the Maldives remains committed to investing in national development while continuing to meet its financial obligations.
Turning to the future of public administration, President Muizzu highlighted the role of digital transformation in improving governance. He said the Government's Maldives 2.0 initiative will help build a modern, citizen-centred digital state that delivers faster, more efficient and accessible public services.
Also addressing the ceremony, Auditor General and President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Maldives, Hussain Niyazy, said supreme audit institutions play a vital role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by strengthening accountability and providing reliable information for decision-making.
Niyazy said the work of these institutions extends far beyond financial audits. He noted that technical support provided through INTOSAI has significantly strengthened the capacity of audit offices, while programmes delivered by the INTOSAI Development Initiative have further enhanced their capabilities. He expressed confidence that the IDI Global Summit would continue to strengthen the work of audit institutions across Small Island Developing States.
Speaking about the symposium, Niyazy said discussions focused on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, improving public financial management and expanding the role of audits in environmental and climate-related issues. He said these efforts would help improve resilience, strengthen economic stability and enhance public welfare in island nations.
He also highlighted the shared challenges facing Small Island Developing States, including climate change, natural disasters, limited resources and increasing development pressures.
The SIDS-SAI Symposium was held in Ukulhas, Alif Alif Atoll, from the 3rd to the 5th of August. It was jointly organised by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the Auditor General's Office of the Maldives.
The ceremony also marked the launch of the Auditor General's Office Strategic Plan before President Muizzu delivered his keynote address.
The symposium brought together supreme audit institutions from Small Island Developing States to exchange experiences on monitoring progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and auditing climate change and sustainable development initiatives.
The IDI Global Summit will continue over the next two days, focusing on closer collaboration between larger and smaller supreme audit institutions, with discussions aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and supporting the long-term development of audit offices in Small Island Developing States.
