President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has invited President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to attend the Oceans Conference to be held next year in Lisbon. The Portuguese president extended the invitation to President Solih to attend the event during their meeting on the sidelines of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
At the meeting, President Solih stressed the importance of eradicating plastic pollution and conserving the health of oceans and wished the Oceans Conference success, and expressed hope that it will lead to creative solutions. The president also briefed the Portuguese president on the situation in the Maldives and the successful measures taken to tackle the pandemic, including the goal to vaccinate the entire population of the Maldives at the earliest. He further mentioned that with the diminishing positive cases, the government has significantly reduced restrictions in the Maldives for travellers and tourists.
The Portuguese president congratulated the Maldives on winning the presidency of the 76th Session of the UNGA, noting the presidency represents the whole world in ongoing global efforts to rebuild economically and socially in the aftermath of the pandemic. Speaking on climate change, the Portuguese president noted that that climate change has felt consequences for Portugal and the Maldives since both are maritime countries. He flagged tourism, renewable energy and digitalisation as three areas that the two countries could consolidate coordination in.
The meeting ended with both sides reiterating their commitment to elevating the amicable ties between the Maldives and Portugal in the coming years.