Minister Maleeh invites global researchers to have their data centers hosted underwater in Maldives

Communications, Science and Technology Minister Mohamed Maleeh Jamal has invited the global research and development community and communications companies to Maldives, stating that the island nation already has underwater villas and restaurants, and would love to host data centers underwater.

He issued the invitation while taking part in the Ministers’ Roundtable at the 17th Science and Technology in Society Forum underway in Kyoto, Japan.

In his speech at the STS Forum, Maleeh said that while the world is currently living through one of the worst pandemics in modern times, climate change remains the most critical issue for small island nations such as Maldives.

“Today, though we are living through one of the worst pandemics of modern times, the most critical issue for small island states like the Maldives is climate change. Extreme weather is already here. Coral bleaching and the threat of sea level rise makes this a truly existential threat to us,” he said,

Maleeh said that as Maldives deals with serious issues such as food security, clean energy and portable water, the country strongly believes that the answer to the problems lies in science, technology and innovation.

“This pandemic has shown us that international cooperation in research and development is the best approach. It has shown us the significance of the internet. The urgent need to connect the unconnected,” he said.

Maleeh said that Maldives is working on increasing the diversity of submarine cables that connect their islands to the global internet.

“Maldives is positioned in one of the most strategic shipping routes connecting east and the west, but also along the many submarine cables which connect the east and the west,” he said.

Noting that the seabed of the Maldivian archipelago is one of the safest in the world, he invited the global research and development community and communication companies to the Maldivian seafloor.

“It may very well be one of the best places for an internet exchange point of the future. We already have underwater villas, restaurants and would love to host your data centers underwater,” he said.

Maleeh said the benefits of technology and connectedness across the internet is undeniable, and is changing the very fabric of societies.

“It is time to increase the role of social sciences in digital development and ensure that we leave our future generations the values and inalienable rights that makes us human,” he said.

The 17th STS Forum explores the role of science and technology in the post COVID-19 era, and is being attended by high-level government officials from some 49 states.