Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman attended the 61st Independence Day celebrations of the Maldives in Malé on Sunday as a special guest of the Maldivian government. Received by his counterpart Iruthisham Adam Dr. Rahman witnessed a ceremonial march-past by the Maldives National Defence Force followed by cultural performances and a fireworks display at Republic Square.
Beyond the celebrations, the visit highlighted a shared bilateral commitment to environmental sustainability. Dr. Rahman planted a Christina tree at Lonuziyaarai Park to support Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s 'Five Million Trees Project'. During the event which was also attended by Maldives Environment Minister Ali Shareef Dr. Rahman praised the initiative to expand the island nation's green cover.
He used the platform to emphasize Bangladesh's ongoing climate action efforts, noting that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s administration plans to plant 250 million trees over the next five years. To further underscore this legacy of environmental diplomacy Dr. Rahman recalled late President Ziaur Rahman’s historic initiative to plant large groves of trees—now famously known as 'Zia Trees'—in Saudi Arabia.
This visit successfully reinforces the strong diplomatic ties and mutual climate preservation goals between Bangladesh and the Maldives.
