President inaugurates National Security Policy and Defence Policy

The Maldives’ first ever National Security Policy and Defence Policy have been launched today at a special ceremony held at the Islamic Centre.

The two policy documents were launched by President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik.

Speaking at the ceremony, the President said that the policies will act as the guidelines for the government in its approach to ensure security and defence for the Maldivian people.

The President said that the documents launched today include policies on national, individual, social and economic security, policies on restoring political order, policies on environmental protection, and policies on sustainable development.

“These are areas we need to prioritise, in order to ensure sustainable security and defence,” he said.

The President called on relevant institutions to execute the policies pertinent to their sectors.

He also said that the National Security Policy and Defence Policy are based on the principles of Islam and solidarity of the Maldivian people.

He stressed that the Maldives has been able to remain an independent nation due to the unity of the Maldivian people and their love for Islam; and thus, efforts by any group to break up this unity and love for Islam, will not be tolerated.

“I will not tolerate that. At the same time, we must understand that the country’s interest can only be protected through the protection of the rights of individual people,” he said.

At today’s ceremony, the President also launched the website of the Ministry of Defence and National Security.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials of independent institutions and politicians.