Vice President Urges Commonwealth to Respect National Development Paths, Highlights Maldives' 2040 Goal

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has called on Commonwealth member states to respect each other's national interests and development paths, while outlining the Maldives' ambitious targets for 2040. Speaking at the second executive session of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, the Vice President identified three priority areas for robust Commonwealth participation: empowering people to strengthen institutional capacity, fostering self-reliance while respecting national targets, and translating challenges into practical actions through collective problem-solving. He emphasized the need for sharing experiences and practical assistance to address challenges ranging from climate resilience to digital transformation. Referencing the Maldives' development goals, the Vice President reiterated the target of transforming the nation into a developed country by 2040, making the digital economy account for 15 percent of GDP by the end of 2030, and ensuring that 33 percent of the country's energy comes from renewable sources by the end of 2028. He explained that these targets are part of President Dr. Muhammad Muizzu's vision to build a more resilient Maldives, with citizens, particularly the youth, as the greatest asset for national development. The Vice President noted that disruptions in global supply chains and economic risks are diminishing opportunities for countries to achieve long-term development goals, and that the Commonwealth can play a very important role in supporting these national efforts.