The Maldives and the United Nations have formalised a new five-year development cooperation framework designed to guide their joint efforts and development priorities through 2031.
Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam signed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2027–2031 on behalf of the Maldivian government, while UN Resident Coordinator Hao Zhang signed the agreement for the United Nations.
The UNSDCF serves as the UN development system’s principal strategic planning framework at the country level. It will guide UN support to the Maldives over the next five years, with a focus on advancing national development objectives and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
The framework establishes shared priorities and actions and was formulated following consultations with government institutions, UN agencies, development partners, civil society, academia, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders.
According to the UN, the framework will promote sustainable and inclusive development while taking into account the Maldives’ unique circumstances as a Small Island Developing State and an upper-middle-income country.
Support under the framework will include policy advice, evidence-based decision-making, institutional strengthening and human capacity development. It will also promote partnerships aimed at enhancing the country’s resilience and strengthening its overall development capacity.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam described the framework as a joint commitment to creating a more prosperous and resilient future for the Maldives.
She said the UN’s assistance is aligned with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s vision of developing a fully developed Maldives by 2040.
The Minister stressed the importance of partnerships that can help the Maldives secure sustainable financing, technology and technical expertise. She also highlighted the need to invest in people, strengthen institutions and increase both state and productive capacity.
According to Iruthisham, the ultimate measure of the framework’s success should be the tangible improvements it delivers to the lives of Maldivian citizens.
UN Resident Coordinator Hao Zhang said the signing signals the start of a new phase of implementation and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to working alongside the Maldivian government and other partners to translate the framework’s priorities into concrete results.
A total of 16 UN agencies, funds and programmes will collaborate with the Maldivian government in implementing the framework. They include the UN Development Programme, UNICEF, World Health Organization, International Labour Organization and UN Environment Programme.
A dedicated governance mechanism will also be established to monitor implementation, assess progress and ensure that activities remain consistent with national priorities throughout the 2027–2031 period.
The signing takes place as the international community enters the final years of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and represents a new phase in the longstanding development partnership between the Maldives and the United Nations.
