Japan pledges USD 140,000 grant to renovate Male’ seawall

The Japanese government has pledged grant assistance of USD 140,000 to renovate the seawall built around the Maldivian capital, Male’ City.

The exchange of notes for the project was signed by Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer and Japanese Ambassador Takeuchi Midori in a ceremony held at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Male’ on Tuesday.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the grant was provided under the Japanese Economic and Social Development Program, and covers the first phase of a comprehensive project aimed at renovating the Male’ seawall.

“The assistance, amounting to 20 million Japanese Yen, (USD 140,000) will support the design phase of the seawall renovation, which is critical to the safety and resilience of the capital city,” said the Foreign Ministry in a statement.

During Tuesday’s ceremony, Zameer highlighted the significance of the initiative in safeguarding the Maldives from the increasing threat of rising sea levels and other climate-related disasters.

He described the project is yet another testament to the enduring friendship between the Maldives and Japan, ensuring continued protection for future generations.

The seawall around Male’ was built with the assistance of the Japanese government in the 1990s.

Referring to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, Zameer noted that the seawall had provided significant protection to Male’ City and its inhabitants from the destructive disaster.

He expressed gratitude to the Japanese for their generous assistance, highlighting on the close and friendly relations between the two countries.

He noted that such projects underscore Japan’s ongoing role as a key partner in the Maldives’ development journey.

The signing ceremony was attended by Maldives’ Infrastructure Minister Dr. Abdulla Muththalib, senior officials from the Foreign Ministry, Infrastructure Ministry, Finance Ministry, the Japanese Embassy and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).