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Asia and Oceania
Maldives |
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Last reviewed: 27 October 2009 |
Country information
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
The Maldives' relation with the UK
Relations between the UK and Maldives have consistently been friendly, with the UK increasing its engagement with the Maldives since 2004 over support for its democratic reform process and issues such as climate change. The Queen visited the Maldives in 1972, while a sizable number of Maldivians visit the UK every year for education and leisure purposes.
The VSO programme in the Maldives closed in 2009 as the islands rating on the UN's Human Development Index (HDI) has considerably improved in recent years.
In October 2004, the UK branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) visited the Maldives. A small delegation of British MPs and members of the House of Lords, met with President Gayoom and the corresponding Maldivian branches.
The Republic of Maldives joined the United Nations in 1965 and is a founder member of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC). It is also a member of the Commonwealth. Since the 1980s, the Maldives has consistently voiced its concerns about the affects of climate change. In March 2009, President Nasheed pledged the Maldives would be carbon neutral by 2020.
There is no British diplomatic mission in the Maldives. The British High Commission in Sri Lanka is accredited to the Maldives.
UK Development Assistance
Most UK development assistance is through multi-lateral agencies. Work supporting UK objective in the Maldives is funded through the Bilateral Programme Fund.
Cultural Relations with the UK
The British Council has been active in Maldives for many years and currently has an office in the National Library. It provides advice for Maldivians wishing to study in the UK as well as providing English lessons.
