President Dr Mohamed Muizzu launched the National Respect Initiative last night.

The President launched the project at a ceremony held for the occasion in the Maafannu track area.

Government offices and civil society organisations also took part in the ceremony.

The project, launched under the leadership of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, is a five-year project.

Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office in September, the President said the National Respect Initiative was not just something being announced, but a project he wanted to carry out as a very serious matter. He also noted that civil society organisations had already been consulted on the project.

"After the National Respect Initiative was proposed as a paper, we have now made a plan, a timeline and a budget for the entire project, and everything has been done. So the project has now received approval and been passed by the Cabinet. So, God willing, we will very soon begin the five-year National Respect Initiative with the help of all citizens across the Maldives. This is something that will take place on every island," he said.

Speaking on an episode of the Ahaa forum held last month, Culture Minister Heena Waleed said the government is working to deliver the most important features of the project to the public within the coming year.

The minister said the project's work is being carried out by a steering committee of nine offices in total, including eight ministries and Public Service Media (PSM), and that the project has been planned so that it can be carried out with the participation of all citizens across the Maldives. This includes ministries, institutions, schools, parents and teachers, as well as independent institutions and associations.

The minister said a lot of work has been done with the views and guidance of technical experts, workshops have been held, and special modules and programmes have been developed, and that the government hopes the project will continue without interruption and with great thoroughness in the days ahead.

The slogan of the National Respect Initiative is "The Joy of Respect – the Benefit of Society". The Cabinet has also decided to mark a day of respect at the national level once a year as the "National Day of Respect", and to set that day as the day the project is launched.