Cabinet moves to establish legal framework for oil, gas and mineral exploration

The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting held on Sunday, 30 August 2026, following a paper submitted by Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam.

Mohamed Hilmy

31 August 2026, 15:48

The Cabinet has decided to establish a dedicated legal framework to govern the exploration and extraction of oil, gas, minerals and other non-living natural resources within the Maldives’ maritime zones.

The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting held on Sunday, 30 August 2026, following a paper submitted by Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam.

Under the decision, the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources will work with relevant state authorities to carry out the necessary preparations related to the exploration, extraction and associated activities involving non-living natural resources in Maldivian waters.

The Cabinet also decided to draft a special bill regulating the issuance of permits for exploration and extraction activities, determining ownership of resources that are extracted, and establishing mechanisms to oversee and manage the sector.

The move is intended to create the legal and administrative framework needed to assess the economic potential of natural resources within the Maldives’ maritime zones.

It will also provide a regulatory basis to ensure that any resources discovered are managed responsibly and that the economic benefits generated from them are secured for the country.

Cabinet moves to establish legal framework for oil, gas and mineral exploration

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