The Dean of CFOS at MNU facilitated fisheries sector roundtable discussions as part of the Maldives’ 20-year Master Plan development exercise by Nexia Maldives. The roundtable discussions aimed to gather insights from stakeholders across the fisheries sector to inform a comprehensive strategic framework for sustainable management and development of fisheries and ocean resources over the next two decades. The roundtable formed part of a broader national consultation process for the National Development Plan (NDP) 2045, which is designed to be citizen-centered, consultative, and evidence-based—combining public input, expert knowledge, and data to build a long-term vision for a more resilient and prosperous Maldives. A total of 20 sectoral roundtables explored 62 thematic areas, with the fisheries and ocean resources discussions focused on economic diversification pathways that include fisheries, ocean resources, and agricultural transformation.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has similarly conducted stakeholder consultations for its own Fisheries and Ocean Resources 20-Year Master Plan (2025–2045), bringing together representatives from government ministries, state agencies, private sector organisations, and NGOs to discuss priorities, challenges, and opportunities within the sector. The CFOS Dean’s facilitation of the Nexia Maldives roundtable underscores the university’s role in bridging academic expertise with national policy development, ensuring that scientific insights and local capacity-building considerations are embedded in the strategic framework for the fisheries sector’s next two decades.