U.S. Embassy in Maldives

**U.S.-Maldives Relations** The United States has enjoyed longstanding, friendly ties with the Maldives. On August 10, 1965, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson sent a message to Maldivian Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir congratulating the Maldives on its independence and “look\[ing\] forward to the growth of close and friendly relations between our two Governments and peoples.” Eight months later, on April 9, 1966, U.S. Ambassador to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) Cecil B. Lyon presented his credentials to the Maldives, thereby establishing formal diplomatic relations. The U.S. Mission to Maldives was based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, until September 6, 2023, when the first U.S. Ambassador resident in the Maldives, Ambassador Hugo Yon, presented his credentials to the Maldivian president. This officially established U.S. Embassy Malé in the Maldives. The same year, the Maldives reestablished its embassy in Washington D.C. Maldives also maintains a Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. U.S. Embassy Malé seeks to support Maldives’ ongoing democratic initiatives, economic development and stability, and resiliency to climate change. The United States recognizes the importance of promoting security in the Indian Ocean. In that vein, U.S. Embassy Malé cooperates with the Maldivian government, defense forces, and police to support security and counter-terrorism initiatives. **U.S. Assistance to Maldives** U.S. foreign assistance resources aim to promote and enhance maritime security, counterterrorism, law enforcement, and counternarcotics cooperation with Maldivian forces and to help the country’s adaptive capacity and resilience to the negative effects of global climate change. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has worked in the Maldives since 2001, delivering programs to respond to the needs of the Maldivian people. USAID’s partnership with the government and people of Maldives supports self-reliance, strengthens stability, and promotes economic growth.?Its programs focus on strengthening democratic governance, advancing public financial management, and protecting Maldives’ delicate marine ecosystem.