President Mohamed Muizzu has announced a sweeping restructuring of the government, reducing the Cabinet to 15 members while introducing wide-ranging changes to ministries and state institutions.

The reforms, formalised through a directive from the President’s Office, include the dissolution and merging of several ministries, the renaming of key portfolios, and the reassignment of responsibilities across government agencies.

A new Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy has also been established, signalling a stronger focus on environmental governance.

As part of the overhaul, six ministries have been dissolved, including those responsible for social and family development, transport and civil aviation, higher education and skills development, youth and arts, local government and public works, and agriculture and animal welfare.

Several remaining ministries have been expanded and renamed to better reflect their updated roles, particularly in areas such as education, health, economic development, and tourism.

The restructuring also includes changes to the oversight of state agencies.

Education and skills-related institutions have been consolidated under the education ministry, while social protection services have been transferred to the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare.

Environmental bodies have been brought under the new climate ministry, and cultural institutions are now managed by the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage.

Alongside these structural changes, President Muizzu appointed 12 new Cabinet ministers at a ceremony held at the President’s Office on Tuesday.

The ministers were presented with their letters of appointment before taking their oath of office, administered by Chief Justice Abdul Ghanee Mohamed.

The newly appointed ministers include

Moosa Zameer as Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises

Ali Ihusaan as Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology

Iruthisham Adam as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Dr Ismail Shafeeu has been appointed Minister of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development

Geela Ali will serve as Minister of Health, Family and Welfare.

Other appointments include

Mohamed Saeed as Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed as Minister of Islamic Affairs and Endowments

Mohamed Ameen as Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation

Abdulla Rafiu as Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness.

Heena Waleed has been appointed Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage

Dr Abdulla Muththalib as Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, and Ali Shareef as Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy.

Following these appointments, the Cabinet now comprises 15 members, including Attorney General Ahmed Usham and two additional ministerial portfolios.

The President has also revised the numbering system used in official government correspondence to align with the new administrative framework.

The restructuring marks one of the most significant changes to the government’s composition in recent years, aimed at streamlining operations and improving coordination across ministries.