‍We were honoured to witness the inaugural Legal Framework Forum, a milestone initiative convened by the Maldives Customs Service with support from the U.S. Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) Program, and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).

Held over three days in Malé, the Forum brought together senior government officials across customs, trade, finance, justice, and foreign affairs. The goal: to build strategic legal and institutional capacities to support rules-based trade, economic resilience, and the prevention of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation.

The agenda combined legal training, scenario-based exercises, and bilateral consultations. Participants explored key obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 1540, discussed legislative best practices, and engaged in simulations addressing dual-use goods, export violations, and transshipment challenges.

A major milestone was the formal recognition and convening of the Maldives’ National Working Group on Strategic Trade Controls. The Forum also facilitated direct engagement between Maldivian agencies and international technical partners including UNODA, and EXBS.

At a time when global trade governance is being reshaped by complexity and risk, the Forum underscored that trade is more than the exchange of goods — it is a matter of shared trust and security. We commend the Maldives for taking this vital step to strengthen its legal architecture and reinforce its position as a secure, rules-based trade partner.