Speaker of Parliament and Former President Mohamed Nasheed has met up with the Commonwealth assessment mission currently in the Maldives.

During the meeting, Speaker Nasheed highlighted the works that the Maldives were doing in their bid to rejoin the Commonwealth. Members of the Commonwealth mission had also thanked the Maldives for their efforts in rejoining the Commonwealth.

The Second Assessment is headed by Ms. Katalaina Saplou, Senior Director of the Governance and Peace Directorate of the Secretariat.

The mission will also meet with cabinet ministers today.

The Commonwealth Secretariat undertook the First Assessment Mission in January 2019 following the formal request made by the President of Maldives in December 2018, requesting the Commonwealth Secretary-General to re-admit the Maldives as member of the Commonwealth. In April 2019, a Commonwealth Observer Group visited Maldives to observe the Parliamentary Elections of which, the Maldives received positive feedback. Finally in June 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs formally submitted all documentation required under the membership criteria to the Secretary-General.

Rejoining the Commonwealth is a key pledge of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The decision to re-apply for membership was concluded within one week of the new Government assuming power in November 2018.