MALE — The Minister of Arts, Culture, and Heritage, Heena Waleed, has announced that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will play an active and integral role in planning and executing the Maldives' cultural and heritage initiatives.

The Minister made these remarks during a meeting with the Maldives Heritage Society held today at the Ministry.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Waleed emphasized that genuine development in the arts and heritage sector requires the unified support of all stakeholders, working alongside academic and technical experts. She assured attendees that the Ministry's future endeavors will be carefully structured to foster this collaborative spirit. Working in tandem with civil society to protect and preserve the Maldives' rich cultural heritage for future generations, she noted, remains a core government policy.

The Maldives Heritage Society was represented by its President, Thoha Abubakur, and General Secretary, Ahmed Afrah.

During the discussions, President Thoha briefed the Minister on the Society’s key accomplishments to date and outlined their upcoming initiatives. He also shed light on the operational challenges of running an independent NGO, identifying specific areas where the Ministry's support could help overcome these hurdles.