President Solih Arrives To Commence The Third Edition Of ‘Viavathi Raajje’ Conference

Yesterday, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih arrived in L.Gan to commence the third edition of the ‘Viavathi Raajje’ conference. Owing to last year’s success, the conference returns with the aim of further improving the decentralization system of the government. The government hopes to accomplish this by holding discussions with relevant stakeholders.

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. Comprising of city council mayors, presidents of island councils and Women’s Development Committees (WDC)s, cabinet ministers, parliament members and various government officials and technical staff, more than 270 people are expected to attend the conference.

This year’s conference discusses four main topics namely, fiscal independence, gender equality, community development and land-use plan formulations. During these discussions, council and WDCs will raise their concerns on these topics to the President and the government will work with the people to propose potential solutions to the challenges.

The 2-day conference paves way for a wider decentralized government system to be established in the Maldives and promotes fiscal and legal autonomy for local councils. This falls under President Solih’s belief that local council must be empowered to make developmental decisions concerning them through their respective opinions.

President Solhi attended a sports festival conducted yesterday, organised to enhance relations between attending partners.