President Dr Mohamed Muizzu conferred the Most Distinguished Foreign Service Medal on Ahmed Saleem today, during a special ceremony held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Independence Day.
Ahmed Saleem is recognised for his exceptional contributions to the Maldives’ foreign service and wider public administration, spanning more than half a century. He began his service to the state on 7 July 1968 and has served the longest tenure in the foreign affairs sector. Over the years, he has dedicated more than 35 years to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, holding numerous key positions. These include serving as the High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Non-Resident Ambassador to the Kingdom of Nepal, the first appointed Director of the Maldives to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and as Secretary-General of SAARC. His total contribution to SAARC amounts to five years and six months.
Throughout his diplomatic career, Ahmed Saleem led several major departments within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the International Organisations Section. He represented the Maldives at numerous high-level international forums and played a vital role in securing foreign aid to support national development. He also oversaw the Ministry’s Foreign Service Institute.
Ahmed Saleem’s service to the nation extends beyond diplomacy. In 2003, when the country’s first Human Rights Commission was established by presidential decree, he was among the inaugural appointees. He later served as the first President of the Human Rights Commission established under the 2008 Constitution, which remains in effect today.
In addition to his contributions to foreign affairs and human rights, Ahmed Saleem has held several senior roles across various state institutions. He served as the Controller of Immigration and Emigration, Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Broadcasting, and Director of Sports at the Ministry of Home Affairs and Sports. He also served as Director General at the Ministry of Youth, Women’s Affairs and Sports, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Security, and the Ministry of Transport and Communication.
With over 54 years of distinguished service to the state, Ahmed Saleem’s unwavering dedication and multifaceted contributions have left a lasting impact on the Maldives’ governance, diplomacy, and institutional development.
