Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has stated that although the oceans are exposed to danger and countries like the Maldives face severe risks due to climate change, the Maldives has always been at the forefront of efforts to overcome these threats.
Delivering his remarks at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference currently underway in France, Minister Shiyam highlighted the adverse impacts of climate change and the resulting threats faced by the Maldives. The Minister noted that rising sea levels and coral bleaching are not merely concerns raised by scientists, but the lived reality of Maldivians.
While the Maldives is among the countries most heavily impacted by the challenges of climate change, the Minister reiterated that the nation remains at the forefront of efforts to overcome these dangers. He pointed out that rising ocean temperatures due to climate change are leading to a decline in fish stocks, emphasizing that one of the greatest challenges for the Maldives is the adverse impact of climate change on the marine environment.
"The ocean is a resource directly linked to the livelihoods of Maldivians. It is a symbol of Maldivian culture," the Minister said.
In his address, the Minister noted that the Maldives has protected over 93 marine areas, achieving the goals of the UN Ocean Conference. He also stated that the Maldives has undertaken significant efforts to phase out single-use plastics. Furthermore, he stressed the necessity of including the perspectives of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in ocean-related decision-making.
"The voices of Small Island Developing States, which rely most heavily on the ocean, must be included in making critical ocean-related decisions. This is because the future of the ocean cannot be written by a select few," the Minister stated.
The Minister highlighted the challenges Small Island Developing States face in securing financial assistance, calling upon developed nations and financial institutions to provide financial support to these countries. He also emphasized the importance of forgiving loans granted for efforts to protect marine resources.
Minister Shiyam is leading the Maldivian delegation participating in this year's UN Ocean Conference. In addition to delivering his address, the Minister is also participating in sideline events. He attended a banquet hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, dedicated to the countries that joined the "Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" (BBNJ). The Maldives is among the first 10 countries to ratify this treaty.
