MALAYSIA and the Maldives have reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional and international peace, sustainable development, and Islamic solidarity, pledging to strengthen bilateral cooperation across a broad range of areas during a four-day official visit by Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
In a joint statement issued following a series of meetings on Monday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and President Muizzu highlighted the deepening of ties between the two nations, grounded in common values and mutual respect.
“Both leaders expressed satisfaction with their close and active engagements in regional and international affairs, and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the efforts and cooperation, especially during Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2025,” the statement read.
The two leaders also voiced concern over the escalating threat of climate change, particularly for coastal and small island states, stressing the need for urgent, collective global action.
“Both leaders emphasised the urgent need for collective action to limit temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels in line with the Paris Agreement,” the statement said.
Both nations are committed towards working together on international platforms to improve access to climate finance for developing countries, especially those party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including the least developed nations and small island developing states. The statement also called for greater climate ambition and support ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025.
Anwar and Muizzu also reaffirmed their shared Islamic identity, pledging to strengthen the unity of the Ummah and uphold the core principles of Islam in global discourse. They underlined the importance of peaceful solutions to international crises, including the Palestinian issue and the ongoing humanitarian challenges in Myanmar following a devastating earthquake.
“Anwar and Muizzu also addressed critical international issues, particularly the ongoing conflicts affecting Muslims across the world and the dire humanitarian situation in Myanmar due to the devastating earthquake,” the joint statement said.
“Both leaders also highlighted the importance of a just and lasting solution to the challenges in bringing peace and stability in the region.”
The two leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms, affirming their zero-tolerance approach and pledging to share best practices and information to combat both traditional and emerging threats.
The statement also emphasised the importance of enhancing people-to-people ties and boosting student mobility between the two countries. Both governments agreed to create more opportunities for students through relaxed visa regimes and greater institutional collaboration in higher education.
They also acknowledged the success of the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) in building capacity and strengthening bilateral relations.
Earlier, Anwar hosted an official luncheon for Muizzu and his delegation at the Seri Perdana Complex. The visiting president was warmly welcomed by 70 schoolchildren from Sekolah Kebangsaan Presint 9(2) upon his arrival.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and two Exchanges of Notes (EoNs), covering tourism, sports, and healthcare.
Anwar and Muizzu are expected to attend the Maldives-Malaysia Business Forum at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre later today.
Malaysia’s total trade with the Maldives increased by 4.3 per cent in 2024 to RM862.7 million (USD189 million) from RM827.3 million (USD180.9 million) in 2023, making the Maldives Malaysia’s sixth-largest trading partner among South Asian nations. - April 28, 2025
