The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, undertook an official visit to Istanbul, Türkiye from 20–22 June 2025, to participate in the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

During the visit, the Maldives delegation actively engaged in key discussions, including a special session convened to address the Israeli regime’s aggression against Iran. Minister Dr. Khaleel reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to upholding international law and the sovereignty of member states, emphasizing the importance of unity and collective action within the OIC framework.

On the sidelines of the CFM, Minister Dr. Khaleel held a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Tajikistan, where both parties discussed avenues for enhancing cooperation within the OIC and strengthening bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest.

The Maldives delegation also participated in the High-Level Roundtable titled “Peace and Trust: Pillars of Unity and Resilience in the Islamic World”, convened by Turkmenistan. Ambassador of Maldives to Türkiye, Lieutenant General (Retd) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, delivered remarks highlighting the Maldives’ dedication to fostering peace, trust, and resilience across the Islamic world. Ambassador Abdul Latheef also addressed the Special Session on Israeli aggression against Iran, reiterating the Maldives’ support for peaceful resolution and respect for sovereignty.

During the visit, Minister Dr. Khaleel was accompanied by Permanent Representative of Maldives to OIC, Ahmed Sareer, Ambassador of Maldives to Türkiye, Lieutenant General (Retd) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, Director of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fathimath Razana and Counsellor at Embassy of Maldives in Türkiye, Aishath Raihana. 

The visit underscored the Maldives’ active role in multilateral diplomacy and its commitment to strengthening ties with fellow OIC member states.

Ambassador of Maldives to Türkiye, Lieutenant General (Retd) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef called on the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Türkiye, H.E. Alparslan Bayraktar today.

During the meeting held at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Türkiye in Ankara, Ambassador Abdul Raheem and Minister Bayraktar discussed avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector. Both sides emphasized the importance of exploring sustainable energy solutions and strengthening collaboration to support the Maldives’ energy development goals.

The meeting highlighted the potential for initiatives in renewable energy and investment opportunities, reflecting the shared commitment to advancing energy security and innovation.

Ambassador Abdul Raheem was accompanied by Deputy Ambassador Abdul Waris Saeed and Attache' Dr. Mohamed Aslam.

Ambassador H.E. Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef held a meeting with Mr. Osman Çalım, Vice President of Hayrat Yardım Foundation, a prominent humanitarian organization in Türkiye.

During the meeting, Ambassador Abdul Raheem commended the foundation’s extensive humanitarian efforts both within Türkiye and internationally. The discussion focused on exploring potential avenues for collaboration in development initiatives, particularly in areas aligned with the Maldives’ national priorities. The Ambassador expressed appreciation for Hayrat Yardım’s commitment to global solidarity and emphasized the importance of strengthening the collaborations.

Ambassador Abdul Raheem was accompanied by Second Secretary Ismail Niyaz.