LocationsICO launches five-year Strategic Action Plan to strengthen transparency and access to information in the Maldives
August 17, 2026
Launch of the ICO Strategic Action Plan 2026–2031 at the opening of the National RTI Symposium 2026.
Malé, 17 August 2026: The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) today launched its Strategic Action Plan 2026–2031, setting out a five-year roadmap to strengthen the institution and advance transparency, accountability and access to public information across the Maldives.
Launched at the opening of the National Right to Information (RTI) Symposium 2026, the Strategic Action Plan provides a clear direction for strengthening the ICO as a proactive, resilient and results-oriented institution, while supporting wider efforts to strengthen implementation of the Right to Information Act.
The Plan was developed with support from the Accountability and Integrity Matters (AIM) Project, funded by the European Union, in collaboration with UNDP Maldives, and informed by institutional priorities and findings from the 2025 Capacity Needs Assessment of the Commission.
With a vision of “a nation where a culture of transparency and open access to public information empowers everyone,” the Strategic Action Plan focuses on three priorities: championing a culture of transparency and accountability; driving digital and technological transformation; and strengthening institutional capacity and partnerships.
A central ambition of the Plan is to support a shift from reactive compliance towards “transparency by default”, encouraging public authorities to make information more readily accessible as part of routine institutional practice.
The Plan also sets out measures to strengthen the ICO’s digital systems and services, including the Mahoali Portal and a new digital Case Management System, while investing in staff capacity, competency-based development and stronger partnerships.
Uz. Ahmed Ahid Rasheed, Information Commissioner of the Maldives, delivering his remarks at the National RTI Symposium 2026.
Progress under the Strategic Action Plan will be tracked through a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework, including indicators related to RTI appeal resolution and compliance by public authorities.
"My hope is that by 2031, every person, wherever they are in the Maldives, can ask for information from their government and receive it; that people know what this right is and how to use it; and that institutions genuinely understand that transparency is not a vulnerability — it is the foundation of public trust,” said Uz. Ahmed Ahid Rasheed, Information Commissioner of the Maldives.
UNDP Resident Representative delivering remarks at the opening ceremony of the National RTI Symposium 2026.
“The real test of transparency is not simply whether information is published. It is whether people can find it, understand it and use it. That requires strong institutions, supported Information Officers and citizens who know and can exercise their rights,” said the UNDP Resident Representative in the Maldives.
Ms. Swati Mehta, Regional Lead for Asia and the Pacific at the Open Government Partnership, delivering the keynote address at the National RTI Symposium 2026.
The launch marks an important step in strengthening implementation of the Right to Information Act 1/2014 and supporting public institutions to better meet their obligations to provide timely and accessible information.
The Strategic Action Plan is one of two key initiatives being launched during the National RTI Symposium 2026. On 18 August, the ICO will launch new RTI Training E-Modules, designed to make practical knowledge of the RTI framework more accessible to public officials and members of the public.
Together, the Strategic Action Plan and the E-Modules combine long-term institutional reform with practical tools to strengthen implementation of the right to information across the Maldives.
The National RTI Symposium 2026, taking place on 17–18 August in Malé, brings together government, civil society, media, academia and development partners to reflect on progress, share practical experiences and strengthen collaboration on access to information.
The Symposium is supported by the European Union through the Accountability and Integrity Matters (AIM) Project, and by the UNDP Funding Windows, with contributions from Denmark, Luxembourg and the Republic of Korea.
Invitees and participants at the opening ceremony of the National RTI Symposium 2026 in Malé.