Adnan Cheema has officially taken office as the new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative to the Maldives. He presented his credentials to Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdulla Khaleel in Malé earlier this month, marking the formal start of his tenure.
Cheema, a UK national, brings over three decades of experience in international development and peacebuilding across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Before taking up his post in the Maldives, he served as Deputy Resident Representative for UNDP in Myanmar and held leadership positions in countries such as Yemen, Iraq, and Sudan.
Speaking on the occasion, Cheema emphasized UNDP’s longstanding partnership with the Maldives, stating:
“UNDP has been a trusted partner of the Maldives for over four decades, and I am honoured to take on this responsibility at such a critical juncture. We will continue to stand with the people of Maldives to deliver results that matter—especially as the nation faces the converging challenges of climate vulnerability, economic diversification, and governance reform.”
Cheema takes over the UNDP country office at a time when the Maldives is accelerating its efforts toward achieving developed country status by 2040. His leadership is expected to focus on advancing UNDP’s support in areas such as climate resilience, governance, economic diversification, and inclusive growth.
During the meeting with Minister Khaleel, both sides discussed upcoming priorities for the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2026–2030, which aims to align UNDP’s work with the government’s long-term national development strategy.
The Maldives and UNDP have maintained strong development cooperation since 1978, with the agency supporting the country’s journey from Least Developed Country (LDC) status to a middle-income nation. Cheema’s appointment comes as the UNDP reiterates its commitment to helping the Maldives navigate current and emerging challenges.
