Maldives

People's Majlis, Republic of Maldives

Key Facts

Head of State: President Mohamed Muizzu

Joined the Commonwealth: 1982, withdrew in 2016, re-joined in 2020

Capital City (location of Parliament): Malé

Unicameral/Bicameral: Unicameral (87) People’s Majlis

Further Information:

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CPA UK & Maldives

The Republic of The Maldives re-joined the Commonwealth on 1 February 2020 after withdrawing from the Commonwealth in 2016. The People’s Majlis intends to re-join the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and approved a related resolution on 4 February 2020.

CPA UK previously contributed to an election observation mission (EOM) to observe the 2013/4 presidential and parliamentary elections. More recently, CPA UK has established strong relations with the Maldives PAC following their attendance at the Commonwealth Association of Public Accounts Committees (CAPAC) Regional Workshop which took place in Kuala Lumpur in August 2019.

The Maldives PAC is now an active member of CAPAC after joining as a member committee in March 2021. As well as being a member of the Association, the Chair of the Maldives PAC, Hon. Mohamed Nashiz put himself forward on behalf of the Maldives PAC to join the Executive Committee and to take up the position of Vice-Chair. Hon. Nashiz was endorsed by fellow CAPAC members and became Vice- Chair in March 2021.

CPA UK looks forward to future collaboration with the People’s Majlis to promote strong and independent parliamentary oversight based on mutual learning.

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Our Recent Programmes

Women in Trade Workshop, Westminster, 20-22 June 2023

Members of Parliament from across the Commonwealth participated in CPA UK's Women in Trade Workshop, held on 20 - 22 June 2023 in the UK Parliament. CPA UK's first all-women in-person multilateral programme, brought together women parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth, for a three-day Workshop designed to strengthen their knowledge of international trade and to discuss specific impact of trade agreements on gender equality, poverty alleviation, and the economic empowerment of women in the Commonwealth.

To read the Women in Trade Workshop Final Report, click here.

Maldives Public Accounts Committee & Auditor General Visit to Westminster

UK Parliament-25-28 April 2022

CPA UK hosted a delegation from the Maldives Public Accounts Committee & Auditor General's Office in Westminster. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen the role of Public Accounts Committees, and their partnerships with Supreme Audit Institutions.

CAPAC Annual General Meeting & Conference, Virtual Meeting – 17 March 2021

In March 2021, Hon. Mohamed Nashiz, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, People’s Majlis, joined the CAPAC Executive Committee as Vice-Chair of the Association. Hon. Nashiz was endorsed by fellow CAPAC members and was ratified as Vice-Chair.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Forums on Climate Change, Virtual Programme - 15-16 & 22-24 March 2021

In March 2021, Hon. Mohamed Nashiz, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, People’s Majlis, presented to a pan-Commonwealth audience at a Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change. The Forums were attended by 270 delegates from 38 countries who heard from over 50 speakers. View the official programme and report for more information.

Westminster Workshop on Public Financial Oversight, Virtual Programme - 19 - 23 October 2020

Five parliamentarians and two clerks from the Maldives joined CPA UK’s first virtual Westminster Workshop on Public Financial Oversight for chairs, members and clerks of Public Accounts Committees across the Commonwealth. Speakers included Hon. Mohamed Nashiz, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, People’s Majlis, who spoke about how governments can be held to account by the work of PACs. The workshop also examined what makes an effective Public Accounts Committee; how to maintain scrutiny whilst working virtually with advice from the International Monetary Fund (IMF); and how to incorporate Sustainable Development Goals into the work of PACs with a presentation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Read the report online.

Inclusive Politics in Practice in the Commonwealth, London 4 – 6 March 2020

In March 2020, Hon. Mohamed Nashiz attended a conference run by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) which concluded the two-year Commonwealth Partnership for Democracy (CP4D) programme. Hon. Nashiz was selected by CPA UK to attend the conference to share the successful changes he had introduced to the Maldives PAC following his attendance at CPA UK’s CAPAC Asia Regional Workshop in Malaysia. Hon. Nashiz spoke about the advancements in making consensual decisions within the committee and the emphasis he as Chair had placed on developing members’ questioning techniques during hearings.

Westminster Seminar on Preparing Parliamentarians for a Changing World - 25 - 29 November 2019

Three parliamentarians and two clerks from the Maldives joined the Westminster Seminar, CPA UK's flagship capacity-building programme for parliamentarians and appointed procedural/committee clerks from across the Commonwealth. 2020 marked the Seminar's 69th year, and the first time it had been delivered virtually. The theme of the Seminar considered the impact of the global Coronavirus pandemic as well as continued protests for democracy, equality and security. Find out more in the report.

CAPAC Regional Workshop, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 1-3 August 2019

Three parliamentarians from the Maldives participated in the Commonwealth Association of Public Accounts Committees (CAPAC) regional workshop. The workshop formed part of CPA UK's work as part of the Commonwealth Partnership for Democracy (CP4D). View the official programme and report for more information.