ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Maldives on Wednesday signed 20 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to strengthen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, including defence, information technology, cybersecurity, health, education, social protection, agriculture and tourism.
The agreements were signed during the three-day state visit of Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the first visit by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years. The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Muizzu witnessed the signing ceremony, during which representatives of the two sides exchanged the documents.
The agreements cover cooperation in information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital skills, technology and innovation. The two countries also signed an MoU to strengthen collaboration in combating the illicit trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs.
Other agreements focused on social protection, health cooperation and collaboration between the Maldives Food and Drug Authority and Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority. The two sides also signed MoUs on the recruitment of health professionals, defence cooperation and maritime security.
To expand agricultural ties, the countries signed an MoU on agricultural cooperation, along with another agreement to promote cooperation in fisheries.
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In the education sector, the two sides agreed to collaborate on technical and vocational education and training, as well as broader educational cooperation.
The representatives also exchanged documents on MoUs covering youth and sports development, air connectivity, tourism, and cooperation in arts, culture and heritage.
Additional agreements were signed between the Maldives Police Service’s National College of Policy and Law Enforcement and Pakistan’s National Police Academy in Islamabad; the Maldives Civil Service Commission and Pakistan’s Federal Public Service Commission; and the Maldives Civil Service Commission and Pakistan’s Civil Service Academy.
To promote commercial engagement, an MoU was signed between the Maldives State Trading Organisation (STO) and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) to facilitate trade in agricultural commodities, food and other products.
The two countries also signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in environmental protection, further broadening the scope of their bilateral partnership.