At the 'Riyaasee Bayaan 2025' Forum held on Thursday and organised by the Government, Ministers highlighted progress made over the past year and outlined key areas of focus for the year ahead.

The forum was hosted by Under Secretary for Legal Affairs at the President's Office, Uz Mohamed Firuzul Abdulla Khaleel, and featured participation from Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, Education Minister Dr Ismail Shafeeu, Homeland Security and Technology Minister Ali Ihusaan, and Tourism and Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim.

Speaking at the forum, Minister Dr Shaheem described 2025 as a year of optimism, expressing confidence that the country will see progress in multiple areas. He stressed the importance of expanding religious knowledge as a means to combat extremism and atheism.

Education Minister Dr Shafeeu emphasised that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu is one of the few leaders to prioritise primary education in national discussions. He pointed out that low pass rates in mathematics remain a serious concern, with two-thirds of students scoring poorly in O-Level exams.

Addressing national security and governance, Minister Ihusan stated that the Government is working extensively to ensure a safe and secure country. He noted ongoing efforts to combat drug-related issues, crime, child safety concerns, and undocumented foreign workers, while also increasing transparency through modern technology in public services. Additionally, he highlighted significant progress in addressing illegal migration, curbing drug trafficking, and reintegrating drug users into society.

Tourism and Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim, who recently took charge of the Tourism Ministry, underscored the importance of environmental conservation in sustaining and promoting tourism in the Maldives. He noted that the introduction of wide-body aircraft services, the upcoming completion of the new terminal at Velana International Airport, the development of domestic airports, and the expansion of Raajje Transport Link (RTL) ferry services will contribute significantly to the growth of tourism and the economy.