Maldives Represented in the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council’s 30x30 Webinar

On Tuesday, the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council’s 30x30 Webinar organized by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council took place. It was held in collaboration with the UN Patron of the Oceans and Founder of the 30x30 initiative, Mr. Lewis Pugh. 
 
The Maldives' Special Envoy for Climate Change, Sabra Noordeen took part in the webinar and delivered her remarks. 
 
In her speech, Special Envoy noted how the ocean island nation of Maldives is reliant on the resources provided by the ocean which is why the 30X30 project to designate 30% of the world's oceans as Marine Protected Areas is so important. Susceptible to the climate crisis, Ms. Noordeen highlighting the grave threat it poses to our ocean and stated the fact that we often overlook the ocean's importance as one of the world's largest natural carbon storage systems. 
 
She explained how regenerative sustainability is critical to the Maldives, such as the pole and line tuna fishery in the country. She strongly advocated the global fisheries industry to adapst such sustainable methods, outlining briefly on the conservation management measures adapted at the 25th Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission recently. Ms. Noordeen further emphasized on the fact that conservation measures alone are insufficient, and that sustainability must not be penalized, but rather properly valued and rewarded in the policies of major international partners and by markets. 
 
In her speech, Special Envoy also shed insight into the Maldives' victories as climate advocates. The long-term investments in progressive climate action is a worthy ambition, she stated. In this regard, the Maldives government has formed a five-year cooperation with the Blue Prosperity Coalition to create a Marine Spatial Plan to better support Maldivian blue economy activities, and map the utilization of our ocean resources. 
 
Winding up, Special Envoy stated that implementing ambitious policies must go hand in hand with continuous consultation, advocacy and regulation to reiterate the importance of protecting our resources for all of us to thrive. The efforts will produce significant benefits many years down the road.