United Nations Development Programme

Maldives

Blog

From Island Thinking to Atoll Thinking: Charting a Creative Future for the Maldives

A reflection on how shifting from “island thinking” to “atoll thinking” can unlock the Maldives’ creative economy, strengthen collaboration across islands, and shape a more connected, sustainable future.

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Blog

HAND IN HAND: Food, Climate, and Possibility

Nearly 300 million people face hunger today; a crisis of systems, not scarcity. In the Maldives, innovation is reshaping resilience: solar agri-boats, vertical farms, and youth-led agripreneurs are redefining how food is grown and shared. With support from Japan, UNDP, and the Ministry of Agriculture, farmers like those in Goidhoo are proving that even the smallest islands can grow big change.

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Featured
posts

Exterior wall displaying National Agriculture Laboratory sign with logos and green canopy.
News
National Agriculture Laboratory Officially Launched in Fuvahmulah

The National Agriculture Laboratory was launched in Fuvahmulah on 29 January 2026, strengthening national capacity for food security, agricultural quality assurance, and climate resilience. Established under PDSAE with support from the Government of Japan..

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Eight people smiling inside a greenhouse, each holding a potted plant.
News
Government and UNDP Supports Community-Led Green Farm Advancing Women’s Empowerment and Renewable Energy in R. Vaadhoo

The Vaadhoo Green Farm has officially opened, showcasing a community-led approach to food security, women’s livelihoods, and renewable energy through solar-powered hydroponic farming in the Maldives.

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Press Release
Handover of Healthcare Waste Management Facilities, Equipment, and Vehicles

New facilities, clean-energy vehicles, and essential equipment have been officially handed over today—marking a significant step forward in building safer, more resilient healthcare waste management systems across the Maldives.

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News
Veshisaafu Participates in HRCM CSO Partnership Forum in Malé

The HRCM–CSO Partnership Forum examined the links between environmental harm and human rights, strengthening collaboration between civil society and national institutions.

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Panel of five speakers seated on stage in a conference room with EU banners in the background.
News
Integrity, Environment, and Public Trust: Reflections from the Civil Society Dialogue on UNCAC and Environmental Governance

Civil society and oversight institutions came together to examine how corruption risks affect environmental governance and climate initiatives in the Maldives, and how stronger integrity systems can protect public trust.

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News
Second Project Steering Committee Meeting of the Maldives RREEF Programme Strengthens Collaboration for a Resilient Blue Economy

The second Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting of the Maldives RREEF Programme, funded by the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR), was held on 28 October 2025.

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What We Do

UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. We help countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships and institutions so they can sustain their progress.

UNDP is working for a Maldives that is empowered and more resilient to create and sustain growth that will improve people’s lives: so that the Maldives is an inclusive, resilient, healthy, caring and tolerant and skilled society where everyone enjoys equitable, sustainable development gains.

Publications

Country Programme Document 2022-2026

The Country Programme Document for Maldives (2022–2026) aims to help the Government of Maldives achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Our impact

190 women and 94 youth, including 32 Persons with Disabilities

participated in the Practice Parliament programme since 2021

equipping individuals involved or interested in policy making and politics with the skills and knowledge necessary to contest elected positions

For the first time in the Maldives

unassisted voting

for people who are blind and with visual impairments was successfully pioneered in the Presidential Election

First SIDS country

to develop and formally endorse a financing strategy using an INFF approach

inclusive of a Gender Strategy

19,871 people

across 29 islands

provided with safe and secure freshwater, in response to climate change-induced water shortages

2698

island residents

including 1206 women, will get running water in their homes from Integrated Water Resource Management systems handed over and operationalised in 2 islands

Gender Equality

Silver Level Gender Equality Seal Certification

UNDP Maldives Attains Silver Level Gender Equality Seal Certification - a significant leap in our commitment to gender equality in and across all our work

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