News in brief: MRM inaugural congress and Maldives membership of IORA

Maldives Reform Movement holds inaugural congress

The Maldives Reform Movement led by former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom held its inaugural congress on Thursday night. Delegates chose Gayoom as interim president, approved a green and gold logo, passed a charter and elected members for an interim executive committee, youth council and women’s council.

Gayoom decided to form MRM after losing a bid to regain leadership of the Progressive Party of Maldives. He was expelled from the PPM after a power struggle with former president Abdulla Yameen and jailed on charges of attempting to remove his half-brother from power.

Thank you beloved members of @MRM_Office for electing me as Interim President. With the grace of Allah I will carry out my duties to the best of my abilities to serve the nation through the party.

— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) November 8, 2019

Maldives becomes member of IORA

The Maldives became the newest member of the 22-nation Indian Ocean Rim Association after Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid signed an instrument of acceptance to formalise membership at a council of minister’s meeting in Abu Dhabi last Thursday.

In a statement delivered at the meeting, Shahid observed that IORA priority areas such as maritime security, blue economy, illegal fisheries, terrorism and trafficking in persons and arms were important priorities for the Maldives domestically as well, pledging to cooperate more closely with partners to find sustainable and practical solutions.

IORA was established in 1997 and has its headquarters in Mauritius. In addition to 22 member states, IORA has nine dialogue partners or observers. The Maldives first applied to become a member state of IORA in 2017 and was approved during the  council of ministers in 2018.

A distinct honour to signing the Instrument of Acceptance, formalizing Maldives membership in the Indian Ocean Rim Association, #IORA . As a nation that lies at the heart of the Indian Ocean we pledge to strengthen regional cooperation and collaboration in this great region. pic.twitter.com/5AdmDZSvZB

— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) November 7, 2019

Yes, already significant #UK commitment to #IndianOcean region just got bigger! And, just as @UKinMaldives is establishing, #Maldives has formally joined @IORA20. More evidence of @ibusolih’s commitment to multilateralism @MoFAmv @abdulla_shahid @DrFarahFaizal https://t.co/Kg0WO2wlbI

— Caron Rohsler (@caron_rohsler) November 8, 2019

Congratulations to #Maldives for signing to Instrument of Acceptance to become the newest #IORA Member State! pic.twitter.com/zmoVpA6hyp

— State_SCA (@State_SCA) November 7, 2019

First lady inaugurates STEM FEST 2019

First Lady Fazna Ahmed inaugurated the first-of-its-kind Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics festival in the capital’s suburb Hulhumalé on Friday evening.

The two-day STEM FEST was organised by the non-profit NGO Women in Tech Maldives to serve as “a platform for young people working in the field to showcase their talents, vendors to showcase STEM-related products and services, create awareness in the community regarding the products and opportunities available in the area, and encourage and inspire young girls to join the field of science and technology,” according to the president’s office.

On Twitter over the Weekend

With the Australian Home Minister the Hon @PeterDutton_MP after the “No Money for Terror” Conference. Great initiative by the Australian Government to host such an important event at such a crucial time. Thank you 🙏 pic.twitter.com/TkyTjHQk9F

— Mariya Didi 🎈 (@MariyaDidi) November 9, 2019

An upsetting find on our beach this week. The head of large mature Green Sea Turtle which had presumably been a recent victim of illegal poaching.@MNDF_Official @PoliceMv pic.twitter.com/djNl1hiCwX

— Maldives Underwater Initiative (@MUInitiative) November 9, 2019

Congratulations to Dr. Ismail Zahir on starting the first OPD consultation and Dr. Yoosuf Shan on performing the first ortho surgery at Hulhumale Hospital. #IGMH pic.twitter.com/UXtoH0wIXu

— IGMH (@igmhmv) November 9, 2019

Exciting news. A very good initiative. Thank you President @ibusolih & Prime Minister @narendramodi. Long live Maldives India friendship 🇲🇻🇮🇳 https://t.co/GvX7kTq9w3

— Ali Waheed (@ali20waheed) November 9, 2019

Congratulations to our National Women’s Volleyball Team on beating the mighty Kyrgyzstan this morning. A great start for the tournament. Wishing good luck for the upcoming matches. #AnhenunnahVaane 🇲🇻🏐 pic.twitter.com/QWZQbjWFH0

— Ahmed Mahloof (@AhmedMahloof) November 9, 2019

“Journey to the sunny side“—#Maldives #Roadshow in UK bringing some sunshine to the travel agents in Manchester. The last event of the series will be held in Glasgow on November 11.#VisitMaldives #SunnySideofLife pic.twitter.com/ba2mKeQVDX

— Visit Maldives (@visitmaldives) November 9, 2019

A great many minds together discussing the demand & growth for STEM in the Maldives is something you would definitely want to be a part of.
Our Mansa meet up episode of tonight has almost come to an end. #hulhumalé #Stemfest2019 @womenintechmv pic.twitter.com/omKkRYmihr

— HDC (@hdcmaldives) November 8, 2019

Pleased to witness the successful completion of Ex. Jarraafa. This training exercise is conducted annually and gives FRS and various government and other agencies an opportunity to practice the “Fire Emergency Operation Plan”. @PoliceMv @igmhmv @NDMAmv @maldivianrc @ADKHospital pic.twitter.com/v4j3iT9XKS

— Chief of Defence Force MG.Abdulla Shamaal (@CDFofMNDF) November 8, 2019

Everything in life is fleeting but we must take the time to appreciate the beauty of the moment and enjoy it. Beautiful paintings by Artist Ahmed Amir at the @Impermanenceex1 Exhibition now on at the Art Gallery. @NCA_MDV pic.twitter.com/kMuMuIdWkU

— Yumna Maumoon (@yumna_maumoon) November 8, 2019

Home Minister Imran Abdulla and DCP Abdul Mannan Yoosuf leading our police delegation in Singapore. Re-establishing police to police cooperation with the Singapore Police Force after a long while. Looking forward to host @SingaporePolice Commissioner Hoong Wee Teck in 2020. pic.twitter.com/TfnTTVqoAC

— Mohamed Hameed (@M_Hameedh) November 8, 2019

DG @NCTCMaldives is attending the 40th National Security Seminar 2019 "Transnational Terrorism: Evolving Threats and Responses" (7 – 8 Nov) in Delhi, India. DG presented a paper on the Evolving Challenges and Radicalization in Littoral Countries. pic.twitter.com/LtRn8iLauD

— National Counter Terrorism Centre – Maldives (@NCTCMaldives) November 8, 2019

We encourage Sustainable Development through replanting uprooted coconut trees taken for Alif Alif atoll Bodufolhudhoo Island Waste Management Centre upgrade work, within the island. pic.twitter.com/JSG10EBUYr

— Ministry of Environment (@MoEnvmv) November 8, 2019

It was our pleasure to have the @WorldBank Executive Directors visit #Hulhumalé today. During their visit, the ED’s met with #HDCMaldives’s management and were presented with an overview of the Hulhumalé master plan followed by a guided tour of Phase I and Phase II. pic.twitter.com/loVey6boyd

— HDC (@hdcmaldives) November 8, 2019

It was a privilege and an honour to call on H.R.H. Sheikh Abdulla, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE during my visit to attend #IORA in Abu Dhabi. The Maldives & UAE are close friends, partners and allies in the Indian Ocean region. 🇲🇻 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/NtDXqiRR8I

— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) November 7, 2019

A dream coming true for the police service! The state of the art facility for police and law enforcement studies is well progressing with its construction. Looking forward to have it inaugurated on 26th July 2020. @sunjaysudhir @EoIMaldives @MoFAmv pic.twitter.com/FhGbQyqVmr

— Mohamed Hameed (@M_Hameedh) November 7, 2019

Formally launched community policing services in Addu and FuvahMulaku cities today with dedicated Neighbourhood Support Officers to its communities. Linked to our strategic priorities; local policing, partnerships for community safety and organisational reform and transformation. pic.twitter.com/U8iRBLC6Gk

— Mohamed Hameed (@M_Hameedh) November 7, 2019

Under the strategic development plans established, GMIZL is working towards to implement ATM services at K.Thilafushi within a month. pic.twitter.com/Px74asHFaH

— Greater Male' Industrial Zone Limited (@GMIZL) November 7, 2019