Small island states can serve as labs for innovation and tech: Maldives prez

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu called upon Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to pivot away from being framed solely by climate vulnerability and isolation, while also urging global leaders and private sector partners to view island economies as dynamic "laboratories for innovation".

Delivering a keynote statement at the opening ceremony of the Small Island Developing States Global Business Network (SIDS GBN) Forum 2026, Muizzu outlined an economic modernization plan aimed at turning geographic constraints into digital and strategic advantages.