The Government of Australia and the Government of Maldives held the second Australia-Maldives Senior Officials Talks on Monday in Canberra, Australia.
Discussions were chaired jointly by Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Dr Hala Hameed, Secretary of the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Senior officials from Australian and Maldivian agencies participated, which were held in conjunction with Defence Policy Talks hosted at Australia’s Department of Defence earlier in the day, a joint statement by the two governments said.
As Indian Ocean partners, dialogue built on Australia’s and Maldives’ shared vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indian Ocean region. Australia presented as a steadfast and reliable partner for Maldives. Key issues discussed included regional and national security and economic prosperity, democracy and governance, and respect for international law and rules-based norms.
Collaboration, cooperation and partnership underpin Australia’s and Maldives’ approach to shared regional and global challenges across climate change, maritime security, gender and transnational crime.
Australia is partnering Maldives in managing the impacts of climate change, including through support provided to the UN Development Programme and the Blue Carbon Hub.
Australia’s gifting of a Guardian-class Patrol Boat, announced in June by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles MP and Maldives’ Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, will make an important contribution to protecting Maldives’ sovereignty and maritime security.
Australia supports building Maldives’ human resource capability, with close to 750 Maldivians awarded Australian scholarships over 60 years. Discussions affirmed the trajectory of growing ties between Australian and Maldives tertiary and vocational institutions.
Bilateral relations between Australia and Maldives span over 50 years and were strengthened by Australia opening its High Commission in Male in 2023. The dialogue demonstrated both governments' commitment to an enduring partnership, and highlighted areas for further cooperation.
These follow inaugural Senior Officials Talks hosted in Male in September 2024.