Canada-Maldives relations
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Bilateral relations
Diplomatic relations between Canada and Maldives were established in 1981. In Maldives, Canada is represented by the High Commission of Canada to Sri Lanka and Maldives based in Colombo. Maldives is represented in Canada by its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.
Canada and Maldives are both members of a number of multilateral organizations, including the United Nations and the Commonwealth, and share the imperatives of expanding climate action, protecting biodiversity and advancing human rights, sustainable development, media freedom, inclusive governance, and gender equality.
Trade relations
In 2023, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Maldives totaled $31.2 million. Over the years, trade between the two countries has fluctuated, but is generally trending upward. While exports to the Maldives are relatively modest, they have grown to $30.7 million in 2023 and were concentrated around aircraft parts and turbo propellers (82.2% of the total value of exports). During the same year, imports from the Maldives to Canada totaled $0.58 million. Fish, crustaceans, mollusks and other aquatic invertebrates accounted for 70.5% of the total value of these imports.
Given the unique island geography of Maldives, the country presents opportunities for Canadians in the aviation and transportation equipment sectors. Maldives also may be a potential market of interest for Canadian businesses in the environment and clean energy sector, as well as in agri-food, namely focusing on food, beverages and meat production.
Development
For over 3 decades, Canada has funded projects designed and implemented by small, local civil-society organizations through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). In recent years, Canada has supported local Maldivian organizations working to protect Maldives’ environment, and promote women’s rights.
Through the deployment of Canadian expertise, Canada has helped strengthen the capacity of the Maldivian government with respect to climate negotiations and environmental data collection.
Maldives also benefits from Canadian international assistance through Canada’s support to multilateral and international non-governmental organizations, notably on the issue of irregular migration and, climate change and adaptation.
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Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and the Maldives work closely in multilateral forums, such as:
- Commonwealth
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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