Officials from the US Department of State, US Department of Commerce and the US Embassy in Colombo are currently undertaking official visits to the Maldives, to meet with the relevant stakeholders to identify and prioritise on technical assistance to the Maldives in key areas, such as public financial management, rule of law, human rights, good governance, and strengthening of civil society. They will also explore future US support for justice sector reform and provide technical assistance to the government.
The visits are a continuation of conversations begun by US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives Alaina B. Teplitz during her visit to the Maldives last November. The delegations will remain in the Maldives till December 13.
Visiting officials from the Department of Commerce will hold discussions with the Ministry of Planning and Infrastructure, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic Development, Attorney General’s Office, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Ministry of Environment and Maldives Ports Limited.
Similarly, the team led by the US State Department Rule of Law Advisor, Stephen Andersson held discussions with the Prosecutor General’s Office, Maldives Police Services, Maldives Monetary Authority, Judicial Services Commission, Presidential Commission for Corruption and Asset Recovery and the Presidential Commission for Murders and Enforced Disappearances in the fields of rule of law reform, transitional justice and good governance.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia at the Bureau for South and Central Asian Affairs of the United States Department of State David Ranz also visited the Maldives this week and met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer, Minister at the President’s Office Ahmed Naseem, Minister of Youth and Sports Ahmed Mahloof and Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath.