President Endorses Three Strategic Acts

Official statements issued by the President’s Office has announced the ratification of three different bills by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. In summary, there are as follows.  

The Climate Emergency Act (Act no. 9/2021), bill which was passed by the Parliament at the 37th sitting of its first session, on Thursday, 29th April 2021 has been ratified. The act is a formal legal structure that calls for immediate action upon the swift acceleration of the severity of the repercussions from climate change. The newly ratified guidelines are to be used in addressing issues and concerns related to climate change, including reporting, ensuring the sustainability of natural resources, overcoming negative impacts and allocation of funds for renewable energy sources. 

The Act also includes a complete framework of the strategic steps to be taken in Maldives' ambitious plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. It mandates the Minister to submit national carbon budget for the subsequent year for approval to the Parliament at least 3 months before end of year. Coming into immediate effect, the Minister is further required to constitute an office under the Ministry as 'Climate Change Directorate', mandated with leading Maldives' interests in the international arena with regards to the climate emergency. 

Included in the ratification, the President has to appoint a Special Envoy for Climate Change within 30 days. The Special Envoy for Climate Change will serve as Maldives' international advocate against climate change and hence represent the Maldives globally in creating diplomatic ties, strengthening multilateral relationships in alignment with climate goals and acquisition of foreign aid for projects related to climate change, environmental sustainability and renewable energy. 

President Solih also approved the National Payment System Bill (Act No.: 8/2021) which was passed during the 5th sitting of the first session of the Parliament on April 27. 2021 this year. It will pave the way forward in improving the existing national payment system, and govern its operations whilst establishing inter-operability amongst payment systems, clearing systems, installment systems, and relevant bodies that provide similar services. 

The legislation aims to promote healthy competition among service providers and maintain the confidentiality of customers and outlines a framework for fulfilling this purpose. The newly-ratified Act confers all powers of overseeing and regulating the National Payment System to the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). MMA would also be responsible for enforcing the law. 

The sixth amendment to the Maldives Civil Service Act (Act No.: 5/2007) includes details of civil service employment procedures to the civil service, such as establishing a framework to allow employment opportunities for people with disabilities within the civil service was also ratified by President Solih on Tuesday. The amendment was passed by the Parliament on April 29, 2021 during their agenda of the 37th sitting of the first session of the year.  

Under the newly passed bill, individuals should be hired based on their academic merit, competence, capability and previous work experience. Details to form the Civil Service Commission, and stipulates the necessary requirements of members, along with the duties of the commission.