News

We must better utilise opportunities and resources to create the future we want, says the Vice President

Published

1 year ago

14/02/2023

Vice President Faisal Naseem called on the international community on Tuesday to better use the available opportunities and resources to achieve the future we want for our citizens. Addressing the “Future of Work” forum held as part of the World Government Summit 2023, the Vice President stated that world leaders need to facilitate this by enhancing and transforming governance systems to match the “future of work” and the needs of our time. The World Government Summit is held from February 13-15, 2023, at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In his address, the Vice President discussed various issues currently facing the globe and outlined the need for swift action and concerted efforts to develop novel solutions that would ensure a better future. He noted that governments in today’s highly globalised world are confronted with increasingly complex and cross-cutting issues, such as economic volatility, unfavourable demographic trends, and climate change. He stressed that good governance is one of the significant challenges that both developing and developed countries face.

The Vice President emphasised that the administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih considers democratic governance, institutional reform, and modernisation of the public sector as the key pillars of development and growth. He added that the development of human and social capital, attaining sustainable development, providing suitable social housing, modernising transportation infrastructure, and improving regional connections are all essential building blocks for realising this vision.

This year, the World Government Summit is themed “Shaping Future Governments.” The Vice President called it “timely” and said it resonated with the sentiments of a world transformed by a global pandemic. He added that the pandemic compelled governments to reorient government models and introduce creative policies and technologies through accelerating government service innovation to overcome the challenges.

Stating that the pandemic had a significant impact on the realisation of virtual societies’ importance and the healthcare system’s transformation, the Vice President noted that remote working had become more normalised to a greater extent with the increased adaptation of the remote work model. He also spoke about how, with the combination of nature, technology, and infrastructure, the Maldives is becoming a hub for digital nomads and remote workers.

Shedding light on President Solih’s digitalisation policy, the Vice President announced that the Maldives would launch One-Gov services in March 2023, complementing the existing “GOV.MV” platform, which facilitates more accessible digital communication between government agencies and the public. He stated that the mission of this digital development agenda is to lay the foundations for expedited digital development and that at the heart of this plan is the introduction of digital identity, which would act as a building block of a digital society.

The Vice President also spoke about the administration’s efforts to build a better “future of work” with a robust human resource development agenda, ensuring the minimum wage, establishing the SME Bank in support of small and medium-sized enterprises, and establishing a reliable and secure transportation system with the Raajje Transport Link (RTL) transportation system.

The Vice President emphasised that for the Maldives, priority needs to be placed on innovative green technologies to enhance trade capacity. He also spoke about strengthening technological capabilities to address climate change by increasing renewable energy sources, reducing disaster risk, and promoting the blue economy.

Source(s): President Office

World

One-China principle anchor of peace across Taiwan Straits: Chinese FM

Published

2 hours ago

20/05/2024

The one-China principle is the solid anchor for peace across the Taiwan Straits, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed on Monday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks on the sidelines of the meeting of the SCO Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.

No matter how the situation on the Taiwan island changes, it will not change the historical and legal facts that Taiwan is part of China, or the historical trend that China will inevitably be reunified, Wang added.

Recently, political leaders and people from all walks of life in many countries, including the SCO member states, have voiced their support for China’s just cause of opposing “Taiwan independence” and promoting reunification, which once again shows that the international community’s adherence to the one-China principle is unshakable, Wang said.

Any attempt to dispute or deny the one-China principle will only end in failure, he stressed.

Wang noted that the 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation clearly stipulate that Taiwan, a Chinese territory stolen by Japan, shall be restored to China. These documents with international legal effect formed an integral part of the post-WWII international order and are also the collective memory of the international community, he added.

The separatist activities of “Taiwan independence” forces are the most serious challenge to the international order and the greatest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Wang said.

The one-China principle is the political premise on which China establishes and develops diplomatic relations with other countries, and also the solid anchor for peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Wang said.

The Chinese nation always holds the common belief that the homeland cannot be divided, the country cannot be destabilized, its ethnic groups cannot be separated, and its civilization cannot be disrupted, Wang said.

Emphasizing that the Taiwan question is China’s internal affair, Wang said that realizing China’s complete reunification is a shared aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation and also a historical trend that no force can stop.

Source(s): CGTN

News

Court warns against conviction rumors of FAM ex-President

Published

2 hours ago

20/05/2024

Criminal Court on Monday, has warned against spreading rumors or issuing public opiniong claiming conviction of Bassam Adeel Jaleel, former President of Football Association of Maldives (FAM).

The court warned against spreading such rumors since it has not arrived at verdict on Bassam’s case.

The former FAM President is facing money laundering charges for depositing USD 10,000 extended by FIFA, to his bank account, for personal use, which Prosecutor General’s Office claimed on April 18, 2024.

While his case is pending, Bassam has been facing constant slandering and libel on social media.

Criminal Court Judge Ismail Shafeeu on Monday’s order, said defendants have the right to be treated as innocent until convicted at a court of law, despite facing criminal allegations or charges.

Besides issuing the warning against slandering the former FAM president, the court declared any such attempts would be regarded as a contempt of court and will be held as an offense.

PG earlier claimed its investigations had found Bassam had bought and registered properties after siphoning money from FAM accounts, used the misappropriated funds for his own business ventures, family expenses and for trips abroad.

PG Office also confirmed it has not completed the investigation on the matter, adding it would be pressing additional charges as the investigation proceeds.

Apart from facing money laundering charges for mishanding FAM funds, Bassam earlier faced allegations of money laundering and graft related to MMPRC, which is is currently investigated by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Ministry confirms actions against unpermitted drone use

Published

2 hours ago

20/05/2024

The Ministry of Defense has announced that measures will be enforced against any drones flown across the Maldives without the required permits.

Moreover, the Ministry had previously urged individuals to seek permission before flying drones in areas near airports, as they could pose a threat to air traffic. However, it has recently observed flying of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones in military security areas and near airports.

Furthermore, the Ministry further emphasised that permit applications should be submitted at least three days in advance, excluding non-governmental holidays, to ensure timely processing. It warned that strict actions would be implemented against those who operate drones without the necessary permits.

Source(s): PsmNews