The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held an interactive dialogue to mark the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, observed annually on June 24.

The event, titled “Celebrating Women Diplomats”, was attended by staff of the Ministry, members of diplomatic missions, Government officials, and students from Ahmadiyya International School. It aimed to highlight issues related to women's representation in the field of diplomacy.

Aneesa Ahmed, the first female diplomat to represent the Maldives at the United Nations General Assembly, was the guest of honour. In her address, she shared her experiences as a woman in diplomacy and emphasised the importance of ensuring equal participation of women in the field. She also called for continued efforts to remove the barriers faced by women pursuing diplomatic careers.

The event featured a panel discussion with He Fen, Minister Counsellor at the Embassy of China; Kiran Khathri, Counsellor at the High Commission of India; and Pek Chuan, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Maldives. The panel explored institutional efforts to promote gender equality in diplomatic services and strategies for empowering women in the workplace.

The Maldives led the initiative to establish the International Day of Women in Diplomacy at the United Nations General Assembly in 2022, which was adopted with the support of 191 Member States.