The Maldives and Japan have signed the Exchange of Notes to advance the construction phase of the Seawall Renovation Project under the “Project for Disaster Resilience Enhancement in Malé Island.”

The signing ceremony took place on Saturday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The agreement was signed by Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel and the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Japan, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikuina Akiko, who is currently on an official visit to the Maldives.

The Exchange of Notes, amounting to USD 10.5 million, will support efforts to reinforce the seawall surrounding Malé City, originally built following the tidal surges of 1987. The seawall has since served as a vital line of defence for the capital and played a key role in protecting the city during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Dr Khaleel described the seawall as a lasting symbol of Maldives–Japan friendship. He noted that the newly signed agreement represents not only the continuation of an essential infrastructure project but also the deepening of bilateral relations.

As the Maldives commemorates 60 years of independence and prepares to mark 60 years of diplomatic ties with Japan in 2027, Minister Dr Khaleel expressed confidence in further strengthening cooperation in areas such as maritime security, regional stability, and trade. He also reaffirmed the Maldives’ support for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and thanked Japan for its continued partnership.

Beyond coastal protection, Japan has been a longstanding development partner of the Maldives, providing assistance in education, healthcare, and renewable energy. Most recently, the two countries signed an agreement to offer scholarship opportunities for Maldivian students pursuing master’s degree programmes in Japan.