Ref: 2026/PR/53
Joint Press Release
The Government of the Maldives and the United Nations in Maldives convened the first Joint Steering Committee (JSC) meeting today, to take forward the formulation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF or UN Cooperation Framework) for 2027–2031.
The UNSDCF JSC is the governing body for the UN Cooperation Framework, co-chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives and the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office. Its membership comprises senior representatives from Government ministries alongside UN agencies, funds, and programmes engaged in operational activities across the Maldives. Convening on an annual basis, the JSC reviews progress achieved during the preceding year, assesses emerging challenges, examines forward plans, and provides high level strategic guidance to ensure the effective and coherent implementation of the UNSDCF.
Today’s meeting marked the beginning of a new phase of strategic collaboration between the Government and the United Nations in Maldives, aimed at aligning UN support with national priorities and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS). The upcoming Cooperation Framework will guide the collective work of the UN system in the Maldives and contribute to the national vision of achieving developed country status by 2040 and the broader goals within the upcoming National Development Plan.
The UNSDCF JSC reviewed the roadmap for the development of the new UNSDCF, considering key inputs, including the final evaluation of the 2022–2026 framework and the UN Country Analysis. The review highlighted both progress achieved and ongoing challenges in advancing the SDGs in the Maldives. The meeting highlighted the need for the next UNSDCF to be more focused, integrated, and adaptive—firmly grounded in national priorities while ensuring that no one is left behind, and guided throughout by core principles such as human rights, gender equality, sustainability, resilience, and accountability.
Speaking at the UNSDCF JSC Meeting, Secretary, Multilateral, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency, Ambassador Mr. Ahmed Shiaan underscored the need to maintain strong and inclusive coordination among all stakeholders, translating the agreed priorities into focused and actionable measures that deliver tangible results, and to ensure that today’s insights meaningfully inform the next stages of the UNSDCF, shaping a coherent and impactful framework.
In his remarks, the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN’s co-chair for the UNSDCF JSC, Mr. Hao Zhang noted the critical role of the UNSDCF JSC in the process of the formulation of UNSDCF 2027–2031 and thanked all partners for their continued collaboration and engagement in this important process.
The Joint Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to an inclusive and consultative process, ensuring that the new Cooperation Framework reflects the aspirations and needs of all people in the Maldives.
Ends