President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Wednesday, remarked that Maldives’ long-standing bilateral relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is based upon shared Islamic values and cultural links.

He made the remark during a meeting with UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri on Wednesday morning at the President’s Office.

During the meeting, President Solih welcomed Minister Almheiri to the Maldives and conveyed greetings and good wishes to UAE’s leaders. He also noted that the Maldives highly values its long-standing fraternal bonds of friendship with the UAE, rooted in Islamic and cultural links and shared values.

UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri pays courtesy call on Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on May 17, 2023. (Photo/President's Office)

President Solih and Minister Almheiri also spoke on collaborating to ensure the success of the impending success of the set to take place in Expo City Dubai from November 30th to December 12th. The president expressed his hopes that the process of the Global Stocktake to evaluate the progress of the implementation of the Paris Agreement would produce strong outcomes.

He also reiterated Maldives' support for the UAE's presidency of COP28 while expressing confidence in the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, which was agreed upon at the COP27. 

UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri pays courtesy call on Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on May 17, 2023. (Photo/President's Office)

Minister Almheiri noted that this is a matter of importance that will be addressed during COP28. She also highlighted the UAE's continued efforts to bolster adaptation and mitigation plans to counter the impact of climate change. 

Maldives and UAE established diplomatic relations on March 15, 1978.