Saudi Arabia’s 96th National Day was celebrated in the Maldives with a reception hosted by the Saudi Embassy, bringing together senior Maldivian officials, diplomats and representatives of the Saudi community.
The reception was held at Kurumba Maldives and was attended by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed as guests of honour. Government ministers, senior state officials, ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in the Maldives also attended the event.
The celebration included a special cake-cutting ceremony marking the Kingdom’s National Day.
Addressing the gathering, Saudi Ambassador to the Maldives Yahya Hassan Al-Qahtani highlighted the longstanding relationship between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia, saying the Kingdom remains committed to taking the two countries’ close ties to new levels.
The ambassador noted that this year’s Saudi National Day is being celebrated under the theme “Our Pride is Our Nature”, while also recalling the historic role of the late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud in the unification of the Kingdom.
Ambassador Al-Qahtani also highlighted the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, as well as the Kingdom’s economic transformation under Saudi Vision 2030.
He described relations between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia as being built on Islamic brotherhood, mutual trust and respect. He also pointed to President Muizzu’s official meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in June 2025 as an important step in further strengthening bilateral ties.
The ambassador highlighted Saudi Arabia’s longstanding contribution to the development of the Maldives through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).
Since 1978, the SFD has provided more than USD 488 million through 17 development loans supporting 14 projects and programmes in the Maldives. Its assistance has covered areas including transport, healthcare, housing, water and sanitation, and infrastructure.
One of the largest Saudi-supported projects is the development and expansion of Velana International Airport, for which the SFD has provided approximately USD 217 million in financing. The expanded airport is designed to handle up to seven million passengers annually, with infrastructure allowing for future expansion to 15 million passengers.
The ambassador also referred to growing economic and investment engagement between the two countries, including recent visits by Saudi delegations and the Maldives-Saudi Investment Forum. Areas identified for potential investment include tourism, renewable energy, business and technology.
The reception also came amid expanding cooperation between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia in maritime security and defence.
The ambassador welcomed official visits to Saudi Arabia by Maldivian Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon and Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed.
The Maldives recently joined the Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition (MMDC), a Saudi-led initiative focused on maritime security along strategically important shipping routes including the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The Maldives is also a member of the Saudi-led Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, with the ambassador highlighting the country’s participation in the initiative.
Separately, on Saudi Arabia’s National Day, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu sent official greetings to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
In his messages, President Muizzu described Saudi Arabia as a trusted and valued partner of the Maldives and said the relationship, founded on shared Islamic values, mutual respect and close cooperation, continues to deepen.
The reception was held at Kurumba Maldives and was attended by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed as guests of honour. Government ministers, senior state officials, ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in the Maldives also attended the event.
The President’s Office said Muizzu reiterated the message in a post on his official X account.
Ambassador Al-Qahtani concluded his remarks by expressing appreciation to President Muizzu, the Maldivian government and the people of the Maldives for hosting the National Day reception, while praying for continued friendship, cooperation and peace between the two countries.
