Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdulla Khaleel has said that Australia plays an important role in supporting the social and economic development of Maldives.

The Minister made the remarks while speaking at a reception hosted by the Australian High Commission to mark Australia Day.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Khaleel said the close relationship between Maldives and Australia is built on mutual respect and shared efforts to promote peace and harmony. He said the event itself was an important step towards further strengthening bilateral ties, and described Australia as a key development partner for Maldives.

Dr Khaleel noted that Australia has consistently supported Maldives’ social and economic development, contributing to the country’s long-term goals in areas such as education, health and environmental protection. In this regard, he said the Australia Awards programme provides a valuable opportunity to develop human resources in Maldives.

The Minister also said bilateral relations between the two countries continue to deepen, highlighting ongoing dialogue at senior official level and cooperation in defence policy in recent years. He expressed optimism that such engagements would further enhance collaboration on shared priorities in the future.