Oceans are the lifeblood of countries such as the Maldives, and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and efforts to protect the oceans must be strengthened, says Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.
The minister made the statement during the virtual ceremony held to launch the “Group of Friends to Combat Marine Plastic Pollution”, on Monday evening.
Speaking during the ceremony, the foreign minister stressed that for Maldives and other SIDS “our ocean is the lifeblood of our economy” and added there is currently an uncertainty “when it comes to the health of our oceans”.
“For the Maldives, as a SIDS, our ocean is also the lifeblood of our economy. It is what provides us and millions of people living on coastlines around the world with sustenance. As history has taught us oceans are an integral part in the exchange of goods, people and ideas of culture and friendship. But today we face an uncertain reality when it comes to the health of our oceans.”Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid
Further noting that the use of plastic is projected to increase in the coming decades, Shahid stressed that this is already evident. However, he noted that there is still hope given the global consensus formed.
Minister Shahid also stressed that this “is a problem that requires global solutions due to its transboundary effects” and praised countries that “are showing that more sustainable ways are indeed possible”.
Reiterating Maldives’ commitment to phasing out single use plastic by 2023, the foreign minister cited President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s remarks at the Blue Leaders Call to Action on Ocean and Climate in September 2019.
“President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih last September announced in New York that the Maldives aims to fully protect at least 20 percent of our ocean in the coming years, and called upon governments to commit fully or highly protect at least 30 percent of the ocean by 2030 and to take steps to ensure that the remaining 70 percent is substantially arranged. Maldives has already been collaborating with international environmental organizations and networks to substantially grow ocean economies and to ensure a thriving marine environment for future generationsForeign Minister Abdulla Shahid
He further emphasized the need to strengthen efforts and commit to ambitious actions to protect the oceans, noted that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic is a wake-up call for humanity to build back better, in a more sustainably manner, and urged countries to increase initiatives that would highlight the need to address this urgent issue.
The “Group of Friends to Combat Marine Plastic Pollution” was established under the co-chairmanship of Maldives, Norway as well as Antigua and Barbuda to formulate a response at the global level to raise awareness and to advocate for action to combat marine plastic pollution.
“It is the members of this group that will be on the frontlines in ensuring that we explore innovative global responses to what is becoming a serious threat to all out countries. It is our hope that this initiative will build momentum to achieve a greater understanding of the problem, to expand our network to include the private sector and civil society and to formalize a global arrangement that would decisively act to combat marine plastic pollution.”Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid
