The Third Edition Of The Viavathi Raajje Conference To Be Hosted In Laamu Atoll
President Ibrahim Mohamed has announced that the third edition of the Viavathi Raajje Conference will be hosted in the island of Gan in Laamu Atoll. Set to commence on September 10th, the two-day conference will see the congregation of multiple parties including city and island council members and city mayors as well as representatives of Women’s Development Committees (WDC)s.
The third edition is targeted for southern atolls of Dhaalu, Thaa, Laamu, Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu along with the two major cities in the South, Fuvamulah and Addu City. A total audience of 250 members including senior government officials, technical workers and even high-profile cabinet ministers will be taking part in the conference.
The Viavathi Raajje conference discusses four main topics this time namely fiscal independence, gender equality, community development and land-use plan formulations. Apart from the main conference, a festival is also planned for the first day to further deepen relations between partakers.
The conference provides a platform for local government bodies as well as WDCs to raise
concerns about issues faced in the atolls and propose possible solutions. Moreover, it provides a floor for different atolls to discuss their ideas with the Government of the Maldives. This falls under President Solih’s belief that local council must be empowered to make developmental decisions concerning them through their respective opinions.
The conference paves way for a wider decentralized government system to be established in the Maldives and promotes fiscal and legal autonomy for local councils. During the second edition of the conference, President Solih announced that the government has decided to distribute 100% of atoll shop revenues and green tax revenues to the local councils in an effort to expedite development in the islands. The two former conferences were held for the central and northern atolls with the most recent one at Aa. Ukulhas.