21 May 2018, New York; The Republic of Maldives and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea have formally established diplomatic relations today.

The Joint Communiqué formalising diplomatic relations between the two countries was signed on behalf of the Government of Maldives by His Excellency Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations and on behalf of the Government of Equatorial Guinea by His Excellency Anatolio Ndong Mba, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to the United Nations. The joint communiqué was signed at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to the United Nations.

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is the 168th country to establish diplomatic relations with the Maldives.

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is a Central African country, with a population of approximately 1.2 million. The two countries have been collaborating in the international arena, even prior to the establishment of diplomatic relations, on issues of mutual interest at the United Nations, including exchanging mutual support for candidatures to the United Nations Security Council.