Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla has called for greater transparency, accountability and public participation, stressing that the success of good governance should ultimately be judged by the difference people experience in their everyday lives.
He made the remarks while addressing the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), being held in Arusha, Tanzania, from October 5 to 9.
Speaker Abdul Raheem said effective governance goes beyond laws and institutions and must ensure that people feel heard, have equal access to opportunities and services, and can place trust in the institutions responsible for serving them.
He said Parliament’s responsibilities extend beyond passing legislation, emphasising the need for lawmakers to listen to citizens, oversee the implementation of government policies and ensure that public funds and resources are used responsibly.
He also stressed the importance of giving communities a meaningful role in decisions that directly affect their lives.
Addressing inclusivity, the Speaker noted that every community must have an opportunity to be heard and enjoy equal access to public services. He said this is particularly important for the Maldives because of its geographical dispersion across numerous islands.
According to Speaker Abdul Raheem, digital technology can help bridge geographical barriers and bring government services closer to communities. He highlighted platforms such as eFaas as examples of how digital solutions can make public services more accessible.
At the same time, he stressed that digital governance must be secure, transparent and inclusive. The Maldives, he said, is working to strengthen digital literacy, tackle misinformation and ensure that technology is used in the public interest while remaining subject to democratic oversight.
Referring to the Constitution and the Decentralization Act, the Speaker said the Maldives already has a legal framework aimed at bringing governance closer to local communities.
He said genuinely inclusive governance should ensure that every citizen feels heard, valued and empowered to contribute to the country’s future.
Speaker Abdul Raheem further highlighted trust as a fundamental pillar of good governance, saying it is built through transparency, accountability, integrity and visible results.
He noted that the Right to Information Act enables citizens to obtain information held by State institutions, while petitions and digital platforms provide additional avenues for public engagement. He also highlighted the role of institutions such as the Anti-Corruption Commission in strengthening accountability and integrity.
The Speaker also linked good governance with peace and stability, referring to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, including Palestine, as well as conflicts in parts of Africa.
He said parliamentarians have a responsibility to encourage dialogue, uphold international law, safeguard human dignity and support peaceful approaches to resolving conflicts.
Emphasizing the importance of results-based governance, Speaker Abdul Raheem said parliaments must assess whether policies are producing meaningful outcomes and whether public resources are reaching the people who need them.
He stressed that governance should be judged by results rather than promises, and called on IPU members to make their parliaments more open, inclusive, responsive and effective.
He reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to working with fellow parliaments to strengthen democratic governance, promote accountability and empower communities to play a meaningful role in shaping their future.
