LocationsEuropean Union and UNDP sign Partnership Agreement towards enhancing Access to Justice, Accountability, and Transparency in the Maldives
March 20, 2024
From left: Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Resident Representative in the Maldives, Uz. Ahmed Usham, Attorney General of Maldives and Dr. Johann Hesse, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives after Partnership Agreement signing towards enhancing Access to Justice, Accountability, and Transparency in the Maldives
Malé, 20 March 2024: The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Maldives have signed a partnership agreement for the 4-year ‘Accountability and Integrity Matters – AIM Project’ in Maldives, valued at €5,000,000.
This project is fully funded by the EU, in alignment with the EU’s Multi-year Indicative Programme for the Maldives and the UNDP Country Programme 2022-2026. It has the overall objective to strengthening the rule of law and enhancing transparency and integrity in the Maldives. To this end, the project aims to achieve two key outcomes:
- Supporting the country in developing an effective, accountable and inclusive justice system, and;
- Strengthening anti-corruption efforts through better legal frameworks, institutional capacity and public perception.
Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Resident Representative in the Maldives and Dr. Johann Hesse, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives signing the Partnership Agreement
This new partnership reaffirms the long-standing partnership between the Government of Maldives, the European Union and the UNDP, building on existing strategic and technical efforts in support towards enhancing democratic governance in the Maldives.
Speaking at the signing event today, the Attorney General of the Republic of Maldives, Uz. Ahmed Usham, reiterated the Government’s strong commitment towards upholding democratic principles, promoting and protecting human rights and accelerating access to justice for all. He recognized and thanked UNDP Maldives for its long-standing partnership with the Attorney General’s Office and other legal and justice sector institutions of Maldives. The Attorney General emphasised the importance of the EU support through the AIM Project, as a catalyst in realizing the country’s vision for a just and fair judicial system that is accessible to those who need it the most.
Uz. Ahmed Usham, Attorney General of Maldives speaking at the ceremony
The support from the EU for the AIM Project, implemented by UNDP, will be closely guided and informed by key government stakeholders such the Attorney General’s Office, Judicial Services Commission, Department of Judicial Administration, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Family Protection Authority, Anti-corruption Commission and the Information Commissioner’s Office of Maldives.
Dr Johann Hesse, Head of Development Cooperation at the EU Delegation for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, signed the agreement on behalf of the European Union. “We are extremely pleased to sign AIM and support Maldivian authorities in their efforts to modernise the justice sector. We are also pleased to do so with a partner well-established and respected in the Maldives like UNDP. This agreement underscores the importance of the Maldives for the European Union, which is working with the Government to strengthen its democratic institutions.” He continued then emphasising how the EU priorities in the Maldives are based on the country’s priorities defined in its Strategic Action Plan for development, and that this is just the beginning of an increased cooperation between the block and the island nation.
Dr. Johann Hesse, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives speaking at the ceremony
“We are excited to consolidate our strengths with the European Union to further solidify and substantiate our work on the ground with our partners in the Government and civil society in the Maldives. This new partnership is a positive revitalization of our joint aspirations in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Resident Representative in the Maldives. He highlighted that the AIM Project encompasses core principles and values in its design, such as having the rights-holders front and center in the implementation along with state partners, and that it will ensure that the project implementation is gender-responsive and needs-driven.
UNDP's Enrico Gaveglia speaking at the ceremony
The AIM Project, implemented by UNDP, will be closely guided and informed by key government stakeholders
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