President Solih ratifies Maldives Foreign Service Act
Nov 14, 2021
Male [Maldives], November 14 : President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday ratified the Maldives Foreign Service Act which will come into effect in six months.
The Bill was passed by the Parliament at the 31st sitting of its third session of this year, on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, reported avas.mv.
The Maldives Foreign Service Act governs the establishment of a separate entity titled "Foreign Service" to implement the foreign policy of the Maldives and specifies its organisational structure, management policy, and matters relating to diplomatic cadre.
With the implementation of the Maldives Foreign Service Act, a completely separate institution called "Maldives Foreign Service" would be established, reported avas.mv.
The Act stipulates that the Maldives Foreign Service will embody the ministry and oversee all Maldivian missions and consular posts. The Act stipulates that the President is the highest authority tasked with overseeing and directing the Maldives' foreign policy.
It further states that the Minister, under guidance from the President, is authorized to manage the daily execution of the service, reported avas.mv.
The Act stipulates that a Foreign Secretary must be appointed, who shall assist the Minister in the execution of Foreign Service duties. It further states that the Foreign Secretary is the highest-ranking member of the Foreign Service staff and that all Foreign Service staff and outside staff working in similar positions must report to the Foreign Secretary.
The President has the discretionary power of appointment or termination upon advice from the Minister, reported avas.mv.
