Parliament Approves Former Ministers as Ambassadors to UAE and Qatar

The Maldivian Parliament has officially ratified President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s nominations of two former cabinet members to lead the nation's diplomatic missions in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Thoriq Ibrahim, the former Minister of Climate Change and Environment, has been appointed as the Ambassador to the UAE. Joining him in the diplomatic corps is Adam Shareef Umar, the former Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works, who will serve as the Ambassador to Qatar. The appointments were approved through a parliamentary vote, with 57 members voting in favor of the nominations. The decision follows a review by the parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee, which determined that the candidates' extensive professional backgrounds and government experience rendered further interviews unnecessary. Both appointees bring significant state experience to their new roles. Thoriq Ibrahim has previously held various ministerial and senior government positions across multiple administrations, providing him with deep institutional knowledge. Adam Shareef Umar continues to serve in a senior capacity at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ensuring a seamless transition into his ambassadorial duties. These appointments strengthen the Maldives' diplomatic ties with two of its most critical partners in the Gulf region. The UAE and Qatar remain pivotal allies in terms of economic cooperation, infrastructure development, and strategic political relations for the archipelago.