President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed were the guests of honour at a prestigious state banquet hosted by Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and First Lady Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam on 30 June 2025. The gala event, part of Dr. Muizzu’s inaugural state visit to Singapore, marked the 50th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations established on 20 February 1975.
ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާގެ ޝަރަފުގައި ސިންގަޕޫރުގެ ރައީސް ދެއްވި ރަސްމީ ޖާފަތުގައި ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާގެ ދެކަނބަލުން ބައިވެރިވެވަޑައިގަތުން#MaldivesSingapore pic.twitter.com/xZinUD35Cm
— The President’s Office (@presidencymv) June 30, 2025
At the banquet, Dr. Muizzu expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Singaporean government and people for their warm welcome. He emphasized that while formal ties span five decades, the nations have shared a longer bond through historical trade, cultural exchanges, and mutual aspirations as small island states. Acknowledging Singapore’s long-standing support—from humanitarian aid to technical training—he affirmed optimism about future, deeper cooperation.
President Shanmugaratnam echoed this sentiment, underscoring the complementary strengths each country brings to the partnership. He praised the Maldives’ growth in luxury tourism and Singapore’s global leadership in finance and trade, urging both nations to continue learning from one another. He also highlighted the shared vulnerability of small island nations to climate change, citing sustainability as a key area for collaborative advocacy on international platforms.
Earlier that evening, the two presidents unveiled a commemorative stamp celebrating their countries’ 50-year diplomatic milestone.
Building on this symbolic gesture, President Muizzu and Singapore’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong witnessed the signing of three memoranda of understanding. These agreements focused on cooperation in capacity-building, environmental sustainability, and technical and vocational education—reflecting a broad agenda of mutual engagement.
The state visit, running from 29 June to 2 July 2025, also features high-level meetings and strategic site visits. President Muizzu is set to participate in an Invest Maldives forum, inspect urban planning and port facilities at Tuas Port and URA Gallery, explore vocational training at ITE Central, and visit Singapore’s National Orchid Garden, where an orchid hybrid has been named in his and the First Lady’s honour.
A Maldivian delegation of nine cabinet ministers—including portfolios such as foreign affairs, finance, environment, and infrastructure—joins Dr. Muizzu, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the visit.
