The Government has signed the consultation agreement for the Japanese-funded "Project for Disaster Resilience Enhancement in Malé Island," which aims to upgrade the city’s coastal defences.

The signing ceremony took place on December 3, 2024, with State Minister of Construction and Infrastructure, Ibrahim Thoaam Mohamed, representing the Maldives.

This agreement follows the Exchange of Notes between the Government of Maldives and the Government of Japan signed in September 2024. The project is a significant initiative to strengthen Malé’s defences against natural disasters and enhance the city’s coastal resilience.

The detailed design consultation phase is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2025. This phase marks a critical step in safeguarding Malé from environmental threats, particularly those linked to rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

Japan has been actively involved in funding coastal protection projects in the Maldives. Most notably, Japan supported the construction of a six-kilometre anti-tsunami barrier around Malé during the late 1980s.