The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in the Maldives held a lavish reception to celebrate the 96th National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The esteemed occasion, taking place at Kurumba Maldives, was attended by the President and the First Lady. The event was also graced by cabinet ministers, high-ranking government officials, along with foreign ambassadors and leaders of diplomatic missions based in the Maldives. A unique cake-cutting event took place during the ceremony to celebrate the occasion.

Speaking to the assembly, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the Maldives, His Excellency Yahya Hassan Al-Qahtani, reiterated the Kingdom’s unwavering dedication to enhancing the enduring brotherly bonds between the two countries to greater levels. Emphasizing that this year’s National Day is observed under the theme "Our Pride is Our Nature," the Ambassador honored the significant contributions of the late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud in unifying the Kingdom.

Moreover, the Ambassador highlighted the forward-thinking leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, along with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He remarked that with "Saudi Vision 2030," the Kingdom is expanding its economy and reaching unparalleled achievements in development.

Ambassador Al-Qahtani remarked that the relationship between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia is rooted in Islamic camaraderie, shared trust, and respect. He particularly emphasized that the formal meeting between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in June 2025 greatly strengthened the collaboration between the nations.

Highlighting Saudi Arabia’s importance as a major development ally for the Maldives, the Ambassador disclosed that since 1978, the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has provided around USD 488 million in support for diverse sectors, such as transport, healthcare, housing, fisheries, and infrastructure. He also remarked that the recent arrival of a senior Saudi delegation for the "Maldives-Saudi Investment Forum" has opened doors for significant investments in tourism, renewable energy, trade, and technology.

Concerning defense and security collaboration, the Ambassador expressed appreciation for the official visits to the Kingdom by Maldivian Defence Minister, Hassan Rasheed, and Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed. He praised the Maldives for being a founding member of the "Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition" (MMDC) dedicated to maritime security and lauded its active involvement in the Saudi-led "Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition."

In closing his statements, the Ambassador conveyed his heartfelt thanks to the President, the First Lady, the Government, and the citizens of the Maldives for commemorating the event. He offered his heartfelt wishes and prayers for the ongoing friendship, peace, and prosperity of both countries.