President Nasheed and Madam Laila Ali have arrived in Male’ this morning after concluding an official visit to the UK.
During their visit, President Nasheed and Madam Laila Ali visited the Windsor Castle and met with Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. President Nasheed and Madam Laila had dinner with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, and spent the night at the Windsor Castle.
The President also met with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other senior officials of the British government and discussed ways of strengthening the close bilateral ties that exist between the Maldives and the UK.
Separately, the President met with the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Secretary General of Amnesty International, senior officials of the English PEN as well as senior members of the English Conservative Party.
During the President’s visit, the Government of Maldives signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University College London (UCL) on conduction research on environment friendly technologies.
Also, a meeting to give information on capital investment and finances for the development of Gulheefalhu as well as, Maldives International Showcase Seminar was held during the President’s visit London. Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, in his capacity as Special Representative for International Trade and Investment attended the investment seminar.
President Nasheed also gave a lecture at the Royal Commonwealth Society which focussed mainly on the democratisation of the Maldives and the effects of climate change. In his speech, the President said it was his hope that the tipping points in people’s conscience would provoke citizens into action, before climate change tips us beyond the point of no return.
As part of their visit to the UK, the President and the First Lady meet with the Maldivian community in the UK and reiterated the government’s commitment to fulfil its electoral pledges to the people.
