15 August 2007
World Bank Country Director, speaking at the Maldives Partnership Forum which opened in Bandos Island Resort today said, “Maldives is the success story of the region”.
He was chairing the plenary of the Forum co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations.
The inaugural address was delivered by President Gayoom who spoke of a future where all Maldivians are “empowered and inclusive”. He also said that the Maldives is moving towards a modern liberal democracy. He called the gathering historic event where the national and international partners will be discussing the challenges that face the Maldives today at this critical juncture.
Maldives Partnership Forum is jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations is to bridge the funding gap in national developmental issues. A total of 127 agencies which include World Bank, IDB, ADB, JICA and the Commonwealth and 18 countries including the United Kingdom, United States, Japan, Canada and China and country- based entities like the Red Cross, the government ministries and departments, political parties and NGOs are involved in this momentous forum.
Brunei, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Switzerland, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and China were represented by the Heads of Mission and the United States by Deputy Head of Mission.
Dr. Shaheed, Foreign Minister and Mr. Patrice Coeur-Bizot, UNDP Resident Representative were responsible for the organizing the forum. The main area of focus is, of course, the post-tsunami national recovery program. Maldives received invaluable assistance from the international agencies in its reconstruction. However, much needs to be still done in terms of socio-economic development and the funding shortfall is the prime criteria.
The agencies pledge to render assistance at not only the economic front but also towards the demographic transition which is the basis for political and legal reforms. “It is the high degree of transparency with which it is being implemented” which as the President pointed out had many of our development partners contributing towards the constitutional, legislative and institutional changes over the last two years.
“Maldives Partnership Forum would play an important part in forging a better understanding and enhancing trust between various stakeholders in national development and the free flow of information between the Government and the various donor agencies was a high priority of the Government”, said the President when he met Mr. Coeur-Bizot, yesterday at the President’s Office. These words clearly outline the purpose of the Forum and Mr Coeur-Bizot assured the President that UNDP is committed to bridge the financing gap in the tsunami recovery efforts.
The turnout for this Forum is a reassuring signal that Maldives enjoys widespread support from not only donor agencies but friendly countries. Zaki, acting as the temporary leader of MDP has been traveling to countries like the United Kingdom and the EU “weaving lies” of a completely different fabric. Zaki claims that all forms of aid line officials’ pockets, that President Gayoom has to be removed and there is no freedom etc. Maldives cannot surely hope to offer a more transparent atmosphere to discuss the countries developmental dilemmas, its solutions and aspirations with equal rights of participation. The Maldives Partnership Forum is a perfect display of the healthy interaction between the government and donor agencies. The question is: When Zaki faces the international community, what will be his next twist to the tale”. None other than the World Bank Country Director endorses Maldives as “the success story of the region”.
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