އަޙްމަދު ޝާފިޢު

ޑެޕިޔުޓީ މިނިސްޓަރ އޮފް ފިޝަރީޒް އެންޑް އޯޝަން ރިސޯސަސް

Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources

ޟަމީރު މުޙައްމަދު

Ahmed Ashwaq, appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources on December 9, 2023, is a distinguished professional with a solid educational foundation and an extensive track record of over 12 years in dedicated government service.

Mr. Ashwaq holds a Bachelor's degree in Business with a concentration in Finance, showcasing his commitment to specialized knowledge in financial management—a foundation for his strategic decision-making and analytical prowess.

Commencing his professional journey, Mr. Ashwaq served as a Logistic Officer at the State Trading Organization, where he demonstrated exceptional proficiency in coordinating logistical operations. This foundational experience equipped him with a keen understanding of organizational dynamics and operational efficiency. Transitioning to the Maldives Immigration, Ahmed Ashwaq assumed the role of Immigration Officer, showcasing his adeptness in managing immigration processes. His capabilities were further acknowledged as he took on the additional responsibility of Supervisor at the Airport Division, overseeing critical aspects of immigration procedures at the Velana International Airport.

Prior to assuming his current role, Mr. Ashwaq served at the Road Development Corporation as a Senior Manager in the Risk Management Department. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in identifying and mitigating potential risks associated with crucial infrastructure projects. His tenure at the RDC underscored his strategic thinking and ability to navigate complex challenges inherent in large-scale developmental initiatives.

Now, as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Ahmed Ashwaq leverages his comprehensive expertise in finance, logistics, and risk management. His diverse professional background, coupled with his dedication to public service, positions him as a key figure in steering the ministry towards sustainable practices and effective resource management. Mr. Ashwaq's formal and strategic approach, combined with his commitment to excellence, reinforces his role as a valuable asset in the pursuit of the ministry's objectives.

އަޙްމަދު އަޝްވާޤު

Uza. Shafeega Naeem is a devoted public servant, who commenced her career as an administrative officer (later renamed as Employee Relations Officer) in government service at the Civil Service Commission of the Maldives in the year 2008. Her unwavering dedication and commitment to public service have propelled her through various roles, showcasing her exceptional skills and expertise.

In 2016, she changed her job to a pivotal role as a Legal Officer within the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture, where her legal acumen and commitment to regulatory excellence became apparent. She was subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Education in 2020 as a Senior Legal Officer. Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated a keen understanding of legal work, contributing significantly to the development and enforcement of regulations within her respective ministries.

Academically accomplished, Uza. Shafeega holds an Advanced Certificate in Shariah and Islamic Studies from Villa College/ Maldives. Her pursuit of knowledge further led her to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Shariah and Law from the Islamic University of the Maldives. Undeterred in her quest for academic excellence, she achieved a Master of Law from the Maldives National University. Currently, she is in the final year of her Ph.D. at the Management and Science University in Malaysia, focusing on enriching her academic life.

Uza. Shafeega’s diverse educational background and extensive experience within various government organizations show her versatility and strong commitment to the development of the country. Her active involvement includes playing a key role in shaping and implementing policies that greatly impact the management and maintenance of the nation’s fisheries and ocean resources. As Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, she will undoubtedly demonstrate her wealth of knowledge, unwavering dedication, and strong leadership skills for the progress of the country and the Ministry.

އަލްއުސްތާޛާ ޝަފީޤާ ނަޢީމް

މުޙައްމަދު ޢިނާން ޢަލީ

ޙައްމާދު ޢަބްދުލްކަރީމް

އަބްދުﷲ ޝިމާޒް

މުޙައްމަދު ޔާސީން

މުހައްމަދު ވަހީދު

Dr Shafia was appointed as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry in January 2019.  Her professional career started as an ‘Agriculturist’ after completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture from the University of South Pacific followed by a Master’s Degree in Plant Pathology, from University of Sydney, Australia.   She continued her academic career and graduated with a Master of Science in Environmental Biology from University of Guelph, Canada and completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science from the University of Reading, UK in 2009.  

Dr Shafia first joined the Ministry of Agriculture and continued working in the Ministry which led her into strategic engagement in emerging issues of climate change and food systems management.  With 25 years of experience, she has extensive knowledge in agriculture policy, planning and management.  Her exposure into development and management   comes from her experience in coordinating for International Development Agencies such as IFAD and FAO as well as her 25+ years of experience in the Government.  In the latter half of her career, she was engaged in policy and planning of food systems. 

As the Head of the Civil Service for the Ministry she is responsible for the management of the human and financial resources to deliver the Government’s policies to improve the life and wellbeing of fisheries, marine resources and agriculture communities and businesses outline in the Strategic Action Plan.  She is committed to implement the programs efficiently and effectively.  Her work is undertaken according to Maldivian Civil Service Code of Conduct upholding honesty, impartiality, honesty and integrity. 

Before her appointment as the Permanent Secretary, she served as the Director General of Agriculture and in several senior management roles of the Ministry. 

Throughout her career she has been people oriented and worked closely with the team focusing on empowering staff to make the best use of their talent and qualification.

1. The Permanent Secretary is responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies, strategies and projects outlined in the official mandate of the Ministry.

2. The Permanent Secretary is responsible for assisting and advising the Minister on issues in which the minister is accountable.

3. The Permanent Secretary is responsible for managing all affairs of the Ministry.

4. The Permanent Secretary is responsible for strengthening and sustaining a transparent and accountable working environment to motivate and encourage all employees to work efficiently and effectively.

5. Responsible for recruitment and strengthening the human resource capacity within the Ministry.

6. The designated Permanent Secretary must fulfill the responsibility under Public Finance Act regulation [No: -3/2006].

7. The Permanent Secretary must be responsible for improving the skill sets of employees, by supporting innovative ideas, best practices and new technologies to enhance their performance and output delivery.

8. As a member of the Advisory Board of the Civil Services the Permanent Secretary must support and advise the management of the Civil Services system.

9. At the end of each calendar year, the Permanent Secretary is responsible for compiling the annual report consisting of all activities carried out in the Ministry. The report must be submitted to the Minister for timely submission to the Parliament.

10. Permanent Sectary is responsible all assigned duties under the Law and Regulation of Maldives Civil Servants.

އައިމިނަތު ޝާފިއާ  ޕީ.އެޗް.ޑީ

ޒިންމާދާރު އިސްވެރިޔާ

Permanent Secretary

މަސްއޫލިއްޔަތުތަކުގެ ތެރޭގައި ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ މޯލްޑިވްސް މެރިން ރިސާރޗް އިންސްޓިޓިއުޓް ގެ މަސައްކަތްތައް ދެމެހެއްޓެނިވި ގޮތެއްގެ މަތިން ހިންގައި ބެލެހެއްޓުން.

މައިގަނޑު މަސްއޫލިއްޔަތުތަކުގެ ތެރޭގައި، މުރަކަ ފަރުތައް އާލާކުރުމަށް އާ ޓެކްނޮލޮޖީތައް ތަޢާރަފްކުރުމާއި، ފަރުގެ އިކޯސިސްޓަމްތައް މޮނިޓަރކުރުމާއި، ޕެލެޖިކް ގެ އިތުރުން ފަރުތަކުގެ މައްޗަށް ބިނާވެފައިވާ މަސްވެރިކަމުގެ ދިރާސާތައް ހަރުދަނާކުރުމުގެ މަސައްކަތް އެމް.އެމް.އާރު.އައި ގެ ރިސަރޗް ޓީމްތައް ހިމެނެއެވެ.

Ms Shafiya Naeem, currently the Director General of the Maldives Marine Research Institute, the research arm of the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture, has been working at the ministry since 2000.

Pursuing an undergraduate degree in 2002 at the University of Tasmania, Australia, Shafiya graduated with a Bachelor of Aquaculture with Honours (in 2005). After returning to Maldives, she continued to work at Maldives Marine Research Institute (then Marine Research Centre) focusing on mariculture/aquaculture. 

Ms Shafiya’s  passion for the field of aquaculture took her to University of Stirling, Scotland where she completed her Master’s program in Aquatic Pathobiology, becoming the first woman to be trained in the field of aquaculture and specialized in aquatic animal health in the Maldives. 

To date, Shafiya has worked with regional and international organisations, such as NACA, SAARC, OIE and FAO, contributing to key discussions on aquaculture and aquatic animal health issues. 

Shafiya has played a key role in various programs that has led to the advancement of aquaculture research in the Maldives, notably the development of training programs, designing and establishing the aquatic animal quarantine facility, and the launch of community farming models.

She is currently actively involved in the Sustainable Fisheries Resources Development Project (SFRDP) (2017 – 2022) as the Mariculture Component Coordinator. She is leading the development of the first ever multi-species hatchery in the Maldives that would have the capacity to provide seed stock for local communities. She is also overseeing the operationalization of the aquatic animal health facility that is to be equipped with the key functions of providing quarantine services for imported marine organisms, as well as aquatic disease diagnostic services in preparation for the upcoming mariculture sector. 

Shafiya has co-led the MMRI team on developing and mobilizing sample collection mechanisms to identify the cause of a mass mortality of fish experienced across the central Maldives in 2007, and led the identification of Viral Nervous Necrosis (VNN) in cultured groupers for the first time in 2017. 

In addition to guiding the research and development of mariculture, Shafiya now leads the MMRI research teams working on introducing new technologies for coral reef restoration, monitoring the reef ecosystems and strengthening the pelagic as well as the reef-based fisheries research. Shafiya manages meaningful dialogues with local and international research organisations toward the advancement of marine scientific research in the Maldives and building local capacity for research and development.

Shafiya Naeem is responsible for overseeing and managing the Maldives Marine Research in Maldives.

Senior Management