Tõnis Saar, Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs of Estonia, paid a courtesy call on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, where both leaders discussed enhancing the Maldives’ digital governance. 

During the discussion, President Dr Muizzu outlined his vision for a digitally empowered Maldives, underscoring the Government's commitment to prioritising digitalisation in public services. He emphasised the need to strengthen the nation’s ICT infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity, and improve digital literacy to ensure efficient service delivery, particularly in the more remote islands. Drawing inspiration from Estonia’s pioneering digital systems, the President expressed a strong interest in leveraging Estonia’s expertise to advance the Maldives’ e-governance and digital capabilities.

Secretary General Saar outlined the success of Estonia’s approach to digitalising its public sector, and discussed the country’s challenges and transformative experiences. He highlighted how Estonia’s digital systems have made governance more transparent, efficient, and accessible, offering valuable lessons for the Maldives. He also expressed Estonia’s readiness to collaborate with the Maldives, offering technical support and guidance to help the country achieve its digitalisation objectives.

The meeting also touched on the need for strengthening the digital capacities of local governments to improve public service delivery across the archipelago. Both sides recognised the importance of aligning digital initiatives with broader developmental goals, ensuring that technological advancements reach all citizens, regardless of location.

The meeting culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs of Estonia and the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology of the Maldives. The MoU sets the framework for ongoing collaboration between the two nations, with a focus on supporting the Maldives’ digital transformation and ICT development.