Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheryna Abdul Samad has shed light on the urgent need for action to conserve and protect the ocean.

She made these remarks while speaking on a panel at the 7th Indian Ocean Conference being held in Perth, Australia.

Speaking at the panel titled “Our Blue Future- How can the Indian Ocean Region work with Island States to Safeguard the Health of our Shared Ocean Resources?”, the state minister shed light on how significant the ocean is for island states and highlighted its role as a lifeline and an integral part of their identity.

State Minister Sheryna stressed that the ocean’s health is vital for the survival and existence of nations like the Maldives.

Going on to highlight the pressing threats facing ocean health, the state minister noted that there is a critical need to take urgent action to tackle these threats and preserve the delicate balance of the ocean.

Emphasizing the shared responsibility of nations in protecting and preserving this vital resource, the state minister urged for a strong ocean governance mechanism that extends beyond national jurisdictions.

With more than 99 percent of its territory being water, the Maldives has demonstrated its commitment to ocean conservation through initiatives such as establishing Marine Protected Areas and implementing sustainable fisheries management practices.

State Minister Sheryna stated that there are capacity and resource constraints surfacing for island states.

She urged for greater support from bigger nations to overcome these challenges.

Further, Sheryna also reaffirmed the commitment of the Maldivian government to safeguard the ocean.

She called for collective action to ensure a sustainable future where our oceans thrive.

Incepted in 2016, the Indian Ocean Conference is a flagship consultative forum for countries in the Indian Ocean region that revolves around issues of mutual concern and interest.

IOC is held annually and is an initiative led by India Foundation in association with its regional partners.