Maldives First Trained Weather Forecaster, Ali Shareef, Retires After 47 Years of Service

Ali Shareef, the Maldives’ first locally trained weather forecaster and the Deputy Director General of the Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS), has retired after an extraordinary 47‑year career.

Ali began his career in 1978 as a meteorological observer, later becoming the first Maldivian to receive formal training as a weather forecaster. Over the decades, he played a central role in issuing aviation and sea‑area forecasts, critical services for a country heavily dependent on air and maritime operations.

The Maldives Meteorological Service highlighted Ali’s long‑standing commitment to strengthening the agency’s capabilities and building strong partnerships with regional and international meteorological bodies. His leadership and technical expertise were instrumental in elevating the Maldives’ forecasting standards during a period of rapid national development.

MMS also credited Ali as a key figure in the negotiations that led to the establishment of the Regional Integrated Multi‑Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES). He represented the Maldives on numerous international platforms, contributing to global discussions on climate resilience, early warning systems, and regional cooperation.

The agency praised his “commitment, dedication, professionalism, and valuable contributions,” noting that his work has had a lasting impact on the country’s meteorological capacity. In recognition of his service, Ali received the National Award for Public Service last year.