Japan has pledged 1.56 billion yen (approx. US$10.5 million) to support the construction phase of a seawall renovation project in the capital Malé, aimed at boosting the island’s disaster resilience.
The announcement was made following the signing of an Exchange of Notes on Saturday between Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel and Japan’s Special Envoy and Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ikuina Akiko. The signing took place at a ceremony hosted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Malé.
The project falls under the framework of the “Project for Disaster Resilience Enhancement in Malé Island,” and builds upon a decades-long partnership between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Khaleel hailed the seawall as “a lasting symbol of friendship” between the Maldives and Japan, noting its critical role in shielding Malé from natural disasters.
“Since its construction following the tidal surges of 1987, the seawall has become a defining feature of the capital city,” he said, adding that it played “a vital role during the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami in protecting Malé from destruction and loss of lives.”
Khaleel described the funding agreement as “both the continuation of this critical project and the strengthening of the close partnership between the Maldives and Japan.”
The latest commitment comes as the Maldives marks the 60th anniversary of its independence and approaches six decades of diplomatic relations with Japan in 2027.
“We look forward to further deepening cooperation in areas such as maritime security, regional stability, and trade,” said Khaleel. He reaffirmed the Maldives’ support for a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” and extended gratitude to Tokyo for its “steadfast friendship.”
The event was attended by Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Abdulla Muththalib, senior officials from the foreign and finance ministries, the Embassy of Japan, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).