Minister Shauna Calls for Collaborative Efforts on an International Level to Protect the Oceans and our Livelihoods

Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology, Aminath Shauna is taking part in the ongoing High-level Dialogue at the IUCN World Conservation Congress that is taking place in Marseille, France.  
 
Speaking at the dialogue, Minister stated that protecting our oceans and looking after the wellbeing of the ecosystem will bring greater good to all of us in the future. She said that it is more significant now than ever to pledge for the protection of at least 30% of our oceans, especially for small islands nations such as the Maldives. Quoting her words, “We are not a small island nation, we are a large water nation.” Populations in such nations depend on the biodiversity of the surrounding waters for their economic and social survival.  
 
She called upon ministers, governments, and leaders of the dialogue to change their mindset towards a more sustainable and greener future to protect the oceans. She highlighted how it affects our lifestyle and our choices in light of the latest IPCC report.  
 
Minister Shauna also reiterated the importance of world leaders recognizing the efforts and urges of the low-lying nations to protect their reefs, islands, and waters to embrace the change in their own nations. The many ways of going green can be implemented across a wide scope of sectors that are contributing to climate change around the world. Being a frontline state that faces the adverse effects of this pandemic, Maldives is loudly addressing the development priorities focusing on building back better.  
 
Democracy and governance, particularly developing countries, play a pivotal role in effective implementation and adaptation measures to further prevent biodiversity loss. Minister Shauna stressed on building better democracies and better governance to ensure a collaborative effort is efficiently put in for the matter.