Hon. Abdul Raheem Abdulla MP, Speaker of the People’s Majlis of the Maldives, delivered a speech today at the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) being held from October 13-17, 2024.
Addressing the theme of this year’s IPU Assembly, “Harnessing Science, Technology, and Innovation for a More Peaceful and Sustainable Future,” the Hon. Speaker highlighted the country’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainable development. He stressed the importance of using science and technology to bring about sustainable development, especially in small island nations like the Maldives and to protect its vulnerable environment.
As a small island nation, the Maldives faces significant challenges due to climate change, the Speaker said in his speech. The Speaker also underscored the government’s initiatives, announced by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu at COP28, including the commitment to derive 33% of the nation's electricity from renewable sources within five years and a national campaign to plant five million trees.
Hon. Speaker also discussed the vital role of parliaments in closing digital divides. He noted that the People’s Majlis was the first parliament to fully transition online during the pandemic and established a Standing Committee on ICT to enhance technological oversight. The Maldives is also actively investing in artificial intelligence (AI) to improve public services and environmental monitoring, with the aim of creating a fully digitized economy, as he highlighted in the speech.
Furthermore, the Hon. Speaker addressed the dual challenge of balancing innovation with necessary regulation, emphasizing the responsibility of parliamentarians to protect democracy from the threats of disinformation and misinformation. He called for the development of ethical frameworks for STI in line with the IPU’s Charter, ensuring that research is conducted with integrity and respect for human rights.
The Hon. Speaker concluded his address by expressing deep concern over the escalating violence in Palestine, urgently calling for an immediate ceasefire. He emphasized the need for all parties involved to prioritize peace in order to spare the Palestinian people from their current ordeal. Additionally, the Speaker highlighted the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, urging for an immediate halt to hostilities to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population and restore stability.