The People’s Majlis has today passed an amendment to the Tobacco Control Act, banning the use and trade of vapes in the Maldives and setting the minimum age for tobacco trade at 21 years.

The amendment, proposed by PNC member Ahmed Aifan representing Henveiru North constituency on behalf of the government, was passed with 54 votes.

The bill proposes to ban the import, sale, free distribution, and use of electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, and related products in the Maldives.

According to the bill:
– The import of vapes and vaping products will be banned from November 15.
– The sale and use of vapes will be banned from December 15.

The bill also outlines penalties for violations:

1. Importing vapes: 50,000 rufiyaa fine
2. Additional 10,000 rufiyaa fine per imported vape
3. Selling vapes: 20,000 rufiyaa fine, plus plus 10,000 rufiyaa per vape sold
4. Giving away vapes for free: 10,000 rufiyaa fine
5. Using vapes: 5,000 rufiyaa fine

If the bill is enacted, it will also prohibit the sale of cigarettes and similar tobacco products to individuals under 21 years of age.

President His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu participated in the opening session of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

This year’s theme for COP29 is “In Solidarity For A Green World,”. COP29 offers a critical opportunity for the Maldives to spotlight its climate resilience initiatives and sustainable development goals.

President Dr Muizzu continues to advocate on the unique challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and has consistently raised awareness on climate issues impacting the Maldives.

This is the second COP of UNFCCC that the President is participating in since assuming office in November 2023. At COP28 in 2023, he outlined his vision for a climate-resilient Maldives, introducing an ambitious nationwide plan to plant five million trees and committing to generate 33% of the country’s electricity from renewable sources within five years.

The agenda at COP29 will address key priorities, including setting a new collective financial goal, strengthening international collaboration, and removing obstacles to the development of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Ahead of the opening session, the President joined other global leaders for a group photo, symbolising unity in their efforts to address climate change. He is scheduled to deliver his national address later this afternoon, where he will further share Maldives’ climate goals and resilience strategies.

On the sidelines of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), President His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu met with His Excellency Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan. The leaders discussed their shared vision for COP29, focusing on climate action and mutual cooperation.

During the meeting the President emphasised the enduring partnership between Maldives and Bhutan, despite the geographical differences between the two nations. He highlighted that both countries face common threats from climate change, including the challenges of glacial melting and rising sea levels. The President commended Bhutan’s status as the world’s first carbon-negative country, recognising Bhutan’s innovative initiatives to address climate impacts. Both leaders agreed to collaborate to amplify their voices on climate issues, particularly in advocating for climate mitigation.

In response, Prime Minister Tobgay expressed enthusiasm for joint efforts, commending President Dr Muizzu’s leadership and commitment to addressing climate change. He shared some of Bhutan’s successful initiatives, underscoring the importance of countries taking greater responsibility for climate impacts. The Prime Minister of Bhutan noted the importance of collaboration among vulnerable nations to ensure stronger commitments from wealthier countries.

Concluding the meeting, the two leaders agreed to continue sharing expertise, exchanging best practices, and strengthening their partnership on climate resilience. They also discussed opportunities for further cooperation in investment and enhancing bilateral relations.

Ahmed Aifan, the PNC member representing Henveiru North constituency in the People’s Majlis, stated today that the budget proposed by the government for the coming year is prepared in a way that can be implemented.

Speaking during the ongoing budget debate in the Majlis, Aifan said that the budget proposed by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s government is a thoroughly researched and implementable budget.

“For example, as a member representing the Male’ area, the concern of Male’ residents is the unfinished reclamation of Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru Falhu. God willing, with this 2025 budget, the unreclaimed area of Gulhifalhu will be reclaimed. Additionally, we will see Giraavaru Falhu being reclaimed,” Aifan said.

Aifan stated that people want honest and realistic leaders, not those who deceive them. He emphasized that President Dr. Muizzu is not someone who would mislead the people and that he takes actions for the rights of the people that other political leaders wouldn’t.

“We can see these things. We can see from the steps being taken. The work the government is doing to solve the country’s problems, tackling major issues that no previous leader dared to touch, the President is proceeding to put these on the right track,” Aifan said.

Highlighting that this budget will bring the development desired by the people of the Maldives, Aifan said that this year’s budget will ensure housing for the people. He mentioned that the budget includes provisions for strengthening the health system and improving economic conditions.

“In reality, this year’s budget is very comprehensive. The previous practice in the Maldives was to deceive the people, but today the President doesn’t want to do anything in a way that misleads the people,” Aifan concluded.

The People’s Majlis’ 241 Committee has passed a motion today to finalize the bill amending the Immigration Act to ban entry to the Maldives with Israeli passports by February 2025.

The bill to ban entry with Israeli passports was submitted by MDP member Mickail Ahmed Naseem, representing Galolhu South constituency. It was submitted on May 29 and forwarded to the National Security Services Committee (241 Committee) on June 10.

During today’s committee meeting, Thulhaadhoo constituency member Abdul Hannan Abubakuru stated that many institutions need to be consulted regarding this amendment. Considering the upcoming budget discussions and the parliament’s recess starting December 1, he proposed setting the deadline for finalizing this issue to the end of February 2025.

Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Ahmed Nazim, emphasized that this is a sensitive issue that shouldn’t be decided by just a few members. He suggested consulting with various stakeholders, including political parties, NGOs, IGOs, and other relevant parties.

Nazim also stated, “I believe that Israel’s inhumane actions against Palestine are unacceptable. Especially the crimes Israel is committing are not something we accept. I strongly condemn these crimes on behalf of the party, myself, and my constituency, and call for an immediate halt to these atrocities.”

The committee unanimously passed the motion to set the deadline for the bill to the end of February.

The bill proposes to designate holders of Israeli passports, as well as Israeli citizens holding passports from other countries, as persons without permission to enter the Maldives. It states that this is a measure taken by the Maldives against Israel’s ongoing genocide of Palestinians.

Although the 19th Parliament had passed a resolution to ban Israeli passports, no specific action has been taken so far, which is mentioned as one of the objectives of this bill.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s government has taken a strong stance in support of Palestine. In particular, President Dr. Muizzu has been advocating strongly in defense of Palestine.

President His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu has arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan, to participate in the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). COP29 will be held in Baku from 11th to 22nd November, 2024.

The President, accompanied by a high-level delegation, was warmly welcomed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport by senior Azerbaijani government officials.

The COP29 agenda focuses on establishing a new collective financial goal, strengthening international cooperation, and addressing challenges to the development of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

President Dr Muizzu arrived in Baku following an official visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. During his visit, he attended the Extraordinary Joint Arab-Islamic Summit, a session dedicated to addressing the escalating Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people.

President His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu has departed for Baku, Azerbaijan, to attend the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Accompanied by a high-level delegation, President Dr Muizzu will deliver the Maldives’ National Statement and participate in various high-level events, discussions, and will hold bilateral meetings with other leaders.

COP29 provides a critical platform for the Maldives to showcase its sustainable development goals and climate resilience efforts. President Dr Muizzu has been a strong advocate for the unique challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS). 

COP29 will focus on finalising the new climate finance goal, discussions on operationalising the carbon market, strengthening cooperation, and addressing barriers to NDC development. The President is also set to participate in several high-level events and deliver remarks.

Before departing for COP29, President Dr Muizzu attended the Extraordinary Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, at the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated tonight that countries supporting Israel cannot call for peace while providing weapons, and that the lives of innocent Palestinians have become worthless due to the inaction of powerful nations.

In his speech at the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Saudi Arabia, President Muizzu said that the suffering of Palestinians from Israel’s excessive and cruel actions is not just a 13-month-old issue, but a decades-old problem. He also described Israel’s actions against Palestinians as acts of terrorism.

The President highlighted that nearly 50,000 Palestinians and over 1,000 Lebanese have been martyred in Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestine.

“Every death is a great tragedy. Families have been torn apart. Young children have been orphaned and left alone. Hopes lie buried under collapsed buildings. Dreams have been buried before they could become reality. This cannot continue,” the President said.

He criticized powerful nations for their silence, which he said has silenced global condemnation of the atrocities and demonstrated that the lives of innocent Palestinians have no value in the eyes of the world.

“Their (powerful nations’) imposed silence and inaction intensify Israel’s cruelty,” the President said in the meeting, which was also attended by Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed and Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel.

President Muizzu stated that the approach of powerful nations to the Palestinian issue has failed to secure the rights of Palestinians. He also mentioned that the misuse of veto power has prevented Israel from being held accountable.

“I want to state very clearly that there can be no call for peace while providing weapons,” the President emphasized.

He called for meaningful changes in support of Palestinian rights and urged immediate action. “If we as an Ummah do not take action now, history will judge us harshly,” he warned.

The President also condemned Israel’s destruction of UNRWA, the UN agency that has been assisting Palestinian refugees for 75 years, describing it as a crucial organization. He called on the international community to continue supporting UNRWA.

President His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu had a meeting with His Excellency Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit in Riyadh today.

The discussions centered on expanding the scope of collaboration and fostering new avenues for partnerships between the Maldives and the Fund.

Their Excellencies reviewed the progress of ongoing key projects in the Maldives supported by the Saudi Fund for Development, including the expansion of Velana International Airport, other infrastructure and fisheries sector projects . Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the timely completion of these projects, underscoring their mutual dedication to driving impactful development outcomes.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to bolster cooperation further, reinforcing the strong ties between the Maldives and the Saudi Fund for Development as they work towards shared economic and developmental goals.

President His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu addressed the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, urging Muslim and Arab nations to take decisive action in support of Palestine. “If we, as an Ummah, don’t act decisively now, history will judge us harshly,” he warned, calling for the summit to be a turning point for unity and meaningful change.

The President praised Saudi Arabia’s steadfast leadership in addressing the challenges faced by Muslims worldwide, recognising the Kingdom’s efforts in building a Global Alliance for a Two-State Solution. He described Saudi Arabia’s commitment as a beacon of hope and inspiration for justice and self-determination for the Palestinian people.

In his opening statement, President Dr Muizzu stressed that the decades of terror and injustice against the Palestinians must end, echoing the call, “Enough is enough!” He pointed out that while condemnations of Israeli aggression had been made, they had not been followed by the necessary actions from those in power.

The President condemned Israel’s brutal occupation and ongoing genocide, rejecting Israel’s decision to dismantle the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has supported Palestinian refugees for 75 years. He called on the international community to continue supporting this vital agency.

Addressing the global community’s continued silence and inaction, particularly within the UN Security Council, the President noted that the use of veto power had blocked meaningful action and allowed war crimes and the flow of arms to persist. He urged the international community to increase both financial and political support for peace.
In conclusion, President Muizzu praised Saudi Arabia’s leadership and solidarity and called on Muslim and Arab nations to unite and work together for meaningful change.

Concluding his statement, the President noted that by this Summit, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has demonstrated its leadership and solidarity, and called on Muslim and Arab nations to work together for meaningful change.