President Dr Mohamed Muizzu met with senior UK officials in Leeds on Thursday as part of his visit to the United Kingdom, engaging in high-level talks focused on expanding cooperation in key development areas.

During his visit, President Dr Muizzu held discussions with Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, the Lord Mayor of Leeds; Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire; and Honourable Alex Sobel, Member of Parliament for Leeds Central and Headingley. Senior representatives from various sectors in the City of Leeds also participated in the engagements.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu with Honourable Alex Sobel, Member of Parliament for Leeds Central and Headingley and other senior representatives --- Photo: President's Office

President Dr Muizzu outlined his Administration’s strategic priorities, including accelerating the digitalisation of public services across the Maldives and increasing the share of the digital economy to 15 per cent of GDP by 2030. He highlighted opportunities for collaboration on artificial intelligence and digital transformation and spoke on the Government’s model city initiative—emphasising the need for international partnerships and financial support to bring such projects to life.

Healthcare featured prominently in the discussions, with President Dr Muizzu expressing interest in leveraging Leeds’ health technology expertise to strengthen telemedicine in the Maldives. He also addressed food security, underscoring efforts to boost local food production and reduce dependency on imports. In response, the Leeds delegation shared insights into their recent innovations in the food sector.

Climate action was another key focus. The President shared updates on the Maldives’ new large-scale solar initiative, as well as efforts to safeguard coral reefs and natural ecosystems. He sought expertise in clean energy solutions, sustainable urban design, and low-carbon public transport systems for Malé City. Additional discussions included enhancing weather forecasting capabilities and strengthening early warning systems.

Education and tourism were also explored as areas of cooperation. President Dr Muizzu expressed interest in building academic partnerships with the University of Leeds and increasing opportunities for Maldivian students. He also noted that the Maldives’ recent strategic partnership with Liverpool Football Club could help elevate the country’s global tourism appeal.

UK officials conveyed strong interest in supporting the Maldives, with shared goals in areas such as renewable energy, transport, digital governance, cultural exchange, and climate finance.