By any measure, governing the Maldives is a practical art. It requires knitting together services across hundreds of islands, delivering certainty to communities shaped by distance, and building institutions strong enough to withstand short-term pressures. Over the past two years, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has pursued a clear and pragmatic agenda that places delivery at the heart of good governance. The focus has been less on rhetoric and more on tangible outcomes that improve daily life.

Healthcare stands out as a defining priority. Expanded coverage under Aasandha, the introduction of air-ambulance services, and efforts to bring specialised treatment closer to home have reduced both financial and geographic barriers to care. By backing these initiatives with sustained budgetary support, the Administration has signalled that public health is not an afterthought but a core responsibility of the state.

Housing reform reflects a similarly practical mindset. Addressing longstanding shortages in Malé through large-scale construction and partnerships that mobilise public and private finance tackles a structural challenge that has constrained families for decades. Secure, affordable housing strengthens communities, improves access to employment and services, and lays the groundwork for more stable urban development.

Good governance is also evident in measures that make it easier to do business. Small and medium enterprises, especially beyond the main tourism centres, form the backbone of the economy. Targeted operational reforms, such as easing logistics and reducing avoidable costs, demonstrate an understanding of everyday commercial realities and a commitment to supporting livelihoods.

Alongside sectoral reforms, the Administration has placed emphasis on modernising the machinery of Government itself. The Maldives 2.0 digital transformation agenda aims to cut red tape, improve transparency and streamline service delivery. Digital systems that are measurable and accountable reduce opportunities for inefficiency and corruption, while making citizens’ interactions with the State simpler and more predictable.

Crucially, this reform agenda has been tied to budgets and implementation plans, inviting the public to judge progress by results rather than slogans. President Dr Muizzu’s consistent message – that reforms are investments in a healthier, more prosperous future – acknowledges the trade-offs of governance while encouraging public buy-in.

Scrutiny and debate remain essential in a democracy, and they should continue. Yet when governance is assessed by improved access to healthcare, clearer pathways to home ownership, a more enabling environment for small businesses, and modernised public services, the yardstick becomes delivery. On that measure, the current Administration’s steady, outcomes-focused approach offers a constructive model for good governance in the Maldives.

This, paired with President Dr Muizzu’s determination to govern the Maldives guided by public input has etched his name in the island nation’s history as the most proactive President. Completing visits to all the inhabited islands across the country outside of an election campaign, the President’s multiple community meetings have provided the public an open stage to air their grievances, share their aspirations, and work with the Government to deliver on the development agenda.

Sustained with transparency and accountability, these initiatives will be remembered not for headline-grabbing announcements, but for the quieter, more meaningful improvements they bring to citizens’ lives. That, ultimately, is the truest test of good governance.