The Government of Maldives & Blue Prosperity Coalition Proudly Kicks Off the ‘NooRaajje’ Program

Ninety-eight percent of the Maldivian territory is the ocean. The waters are home to an abundance of aquatic life and thousands of species of fish, hence, locals are extremely dependent on it for their livelihoods and economy. With this in mind, the Government of Maldives has launched its ‘NooRaajje’ program in partnership with Blue Prosperity Coalition; a group of organization working to promote blue economies through sustainable ocean governance methods. The program will consist of five years’ worth of projects to gain deeper scientific knowledge of the Maldives ocean, while building up Maldivians’ capacity to conserve their marine ecosystems. 

The official launch event was held last night, virtually in participation with the President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture, Ms. Zaha Waheed, Minister of Economic Development, Uz. Fayyaz Ismail and officials from Maldives Marine Research Institute, NooRaajje Program and Blue Prosperity Coalition. 

‘NooRaajje’ program will run from 2020 through to 2024 under which scientific expeditions into the Maldives’ ocean spaces will take place along with shaping policy on the proper use of marine resources, and consultations with communities to devise better means of protecting the Maldives’ marine ecosystems. One of the key aims of the program is to help the Government implement a legally binding Maritime Spatial Plan spanning the Maldives ‘Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); and advance efforts to designate at least 20 per cent of the Maldives’ ocean as protected areas. 

Speaking at the launching event, the President reiterated that implementing a ‘blue economy’ which balances economic prosperity with environmental sustainability is a key pledge of his Administration. 

Photos: Noo Raajje