Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman attended the Maldives’ 61st Independence Day Parade in Malé as a special guest of the Maldivian government, reaffirming the close ties between the two South Asian nations.
The parade was held at Republic Square in Malé on Sunday, where Maldivian Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam received Dr Rahman upon his arrival, said a foreign ministry’s press release here this morning.
The event featured a ceremonial march-past and displays by different branches of the Maldives National Defence Force, showcasing the country’s discipline, heritage and national pride as it celebrated the 61st anniversary of its independence.
Following the parade, Dr Rahman attended a cultural programme highlighting the Maldives’ rich traditions and cultural heritage. The day’s celebrations concluded with a fireworks display.
Earlier, the foreign minister planted a Christina (Syzygium campanulatum) tree at Lonuziyaarai Park in Malé as part of the “Five Million Trees Project” launched by Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
Maldivian Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam and Climate Change, Environment and Energy Minister Ali Shareef attended the tree-planting ceremony.
Dr Rahman appreciated President Muizzu’s initiative to expand the Maldives’ green cover and highlighted Bangladesh’s own ambitious afforestation programme.
He said the Bangladesh government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is implementing an initiative to plant 250 million trees over the next five years.
The foreign minister said the initiatives undertaken by the leaders of the two countries reflected Bangladesh and the Maldives’ shared commitment to environmental sustainability, climate action and safeguarding the planet for future generations.
Dr Rahman also recalled Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman’s initiative to plant large groves of Azadirachta indica trees on the plains of Arafat in Saudi Arabia, which are popularly known as “Zia Trees”.
Dr Rahman is visiting the Maldives at the invitation of the Maldivian government to join the country’s 61st Independence Day celebrations as a special guest.
