Maldives forges partnerships for ocean protection

The Maldives government has entered into partnerships with global environmental groups to help protect the country’s ocean territory.

Memoranda of Understanding were signed with Parley for the Ocean and the Blue Prosperity Coalition on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last week. In his maiden address, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced an ambitious goal of phasing out single-use plastics by 2023.

On Wednesday, the Maldives became the first country to join ‘Future Island Nation’ by Parley, an organisation dedicated to fighting marine plastic pollution. Under the programme, the Maldives committed to nationwide implementation of the Parley AIR Strategy (Avoid, Intercept, Redesign) and to collaborate on a 10-year action plan to expand recycling infrastructure and carry out cleanups and community education initiatives.

“Together, we will tackle plastic pollution, harness alternative, clean energy sources, and protect Maldivian waters from illegal fishing,” President Solih said.