President declares decision to hold National Conference for sharing future approaches to development 

President Dr Mohamed Waheed has declared his decision to hold a National Conference to constitute a forum for sharing future approaches and strategies on the road towards development. The President made this announcement while addressing the nation at the special ceremony held this evening at Dharubaaruge, to mark this year’s Republic Day.

The President revealed his expectation that this conference would tap into the mosaic of useful public opinion and ideas, which could help the nation charter a road-map for development as per the wish of majority. He also said that the conference, in general, would compose an active audience involving prominent politicians, entrepreneurs, tradesmen, scholars, students, women, youth, judges, lawyers and private applicants.

In his speech, President Waheed expressed his hopes for a coherent nation peopled by a community of citizens, who are accommodative to each other’s needs and live in common harmony, adhering to the ideal of mutual respect and understanding. He further stressed the need for gender equality, and a society that is productive, livable and secure enough for healthy familial relations to prosper.

The President noted that the Government had and would always strive to make decisions as beneficial to the people of the Maldives. He highlighted the need for taking the right actions as necessary or relevant to the given circumstances or context in a structured and timely manner. The President further briefed the gathering on the historic transition of the Maldives from monarchical rule to a full-fledged republic.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Waheed reminded the nation of the critical need for its people to sacrifice their differences in opinion and ideologies, so that peace and harmony may prevail. He alluded to a potential economic breakdown that could precipitate due to a failure to establish a sense of common purpose and stability in the country.