During a high‑level panel at the Global Transport Connectivity Forum 2025 in Istanbul, Maldives Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen, urged international cooperation to bolster the nation’s maritime infrastructure and climate resilience.
In the session titled “Maritime Connectivity for Island and Coastal Nations: Shared Opportunities, Distinct Challenges,” Minister Ameen highlighted the Maldives’ reliance on sea transport—using dhonis, speedboats, ferries, and seaplanes—to connect its 1,000‑plus islands in the absence of extensive roadways . He stressed that such maritime links are critical for everyday mobility, cargo transit, and sustaining the tourism-dependent economy.
Identifying key obstacles faced by small island nations, Ameen pointed to limited funding, geographic dispersion, and heightened vulnerability to climate impacts. He called on global institutions, donors, and private stakeholders to deliver targeted financial aid, technical expertise, and long‑term investment strategies tailored to small‑state realities.
The minister further urged that future transport infrastructure—ports, ferry terminals, and bridge systems—be designed to withstand sea-level rise and extreme weather. He underscored that climate-smart transport systems are not optional but indispensable for national resilience.
Organised by Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, backed by the World Bank, the three‑day forum runs from June 27 to 29 under the theme “Seamless Connectivity, Limitless Possibilities”. It convenes ministers, financiers, and industry experts to explore sustainable transport innovation, investment gaps, and digital and green transitions.
With domestic transport anchored in maritime and air networks, including the ongoing Greater Malé Connectivity Project (Thilamalé Bridge), the Maldives is strategically intensifying efforts to enhance inter-island links and disaster readiness . Minister Ameen’s participation underscores the nation’s commitment to forging global partnerships that deliver climate-resilient infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted connectivity.
As dialogues continue in Istanbul, the Maldives delegation aims to translate its appeals into concrete funding mechanisms and collaborative initiatives focused on ferry upgrades, port modernization, and expanded resilience. Their goal: safeguard the lifeblood of the archipelago—and its people.
