NEW YORK: Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu expressed his aspiration for the Maldives to become a “fully developed country” by 2040, during his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
He highlighted the country’s history of overcoming challenges and emphasized that development is not new for the Maldives, which has a population of around 500,000. Central to his vision is the creation of a “digital economy” that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to improve housing, healthcare, and climate resilience.
President Muizzu outlined his plan to transform the Maldives into a developed nation by 2040, emphasizing the role of digital connectivity in achieving inclusive development, boosting economic activity, and building a more diverse and resilient economy. He noted that the Maldives, an archipelago of over 1,100 islands spread across 90,000 square kilometers, aims to harness AI to drive this transformation.
President Muizzu also underscored the importance of international support, particularly from United Nations member states, in helping small nations like the Maldives meet their development and climate goals. He stressed that continued global cooperation is vital for the Maldives and other developing countries to achieve their ambitious targets.
In his address, he also drew attention to the plight of journalists working in conflict zones, specifically those impacted by Israeli actions in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon. He condemned the targeting of media workers, whom he called the “eyes and ears of humanity,” describing it as a cruel effort to prevent the world from witnessing these atrocities.
The Maldives has made remarkable progress since gaining independence in 1965, transitioning from one of the poorest nations to a middle-income country. While acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead, President Muizzu expressed confidence in the country’s ability to achieve its vision of becoming a fully developed nation through a well-structured plan.
As the Maldives embarks on this ambitious path, the president emphasized that enhancing digital connectivity and leveraging AI will be key drivers of economic growth and resilience. He reiterated that international support will be crucial in helping the Maldives realize its goal of becoming a fully developed nation by 2040.
