EU and UNDP collaborate to advance justice and integrity in the Maldives
In a notable stride towards bolstering justice and integrity in the Maldives, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have forged a partnership agreement for the 'Accountability and Integrity Matters – AIM Project'.
Valued at €5,000,000 and spanning four years, this initiative is fully financed by the EU, aligning with its Multi-year Indicative Programme for the Maldives and the UNDP Country Programme 2022-2026.
In a statement released on UNDP Maldives website on Wednesday, the overarching objective of the AIM Project is to fortify the rule of law and augment transparency and integrity within the Maldivian governance framework.
This endeavor seeks to achieve two primary outcomes: enhancing the effectiveness, accountability, and inclusivity of the justice system, and bolstering anti-corruption efforts through robust legal frameworks, institutional capacity-building, and improved public perception.
During the signing ceremony in Malé, Attorney General Uz. Ahmed Usham reiterated the government's steadfast commitment to democracy and equitable access to justice.
He commended UNDP Maldives for its longstanding collaboration with local legal and justice institutions, highlighting the pivotal role of EU support through the AIM Project in advancing the nation's goal of a just and accessible judicial system.
The EU's contribution, channeled through UNDP, will be closely coordinated with key government stakeholders, ensuring effective implementation across various departments and agencies.
Dr. Johann Hesse, Head of Development Cooperation at the EU Delegation for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, emphasized the EU's commitment to modernizing the justice sector in the Maldives and strengthening democratic institutions.
He underscored the alignment of EU priorities with the Maldives' Strategic Action Plan for development, signaling the beginning of enhanced cooperation between the EU and the Maldives.
We are extremely pleased to sign AIM and support Maldivian authorities in their efforts to modernise the justice sector. We are also pleased to do so with a partner well-established and respected in the Maldives like UNDP. This agreement underscores the importance of the Maldives for the European Union, which is working with the Government to strengthen its democratic institutions
Stated Dr Johann
Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Resident Representative in the Maldives, hailed the partnership as a positive step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
He highlighted the project's core principles, including prioritizing rights-holders and ensuring gender-responsive and needs-driven implementation, underscoring the commitment to sustainable progress in the Maldives.
Advertisement
