The Maldives has cemented its role as a global leader in ocean protection and stewardship by sharing nationwide successes from the Noo Raajje program at the 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal.

A delegation from the Maldives, led by Maldives Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology Aminath Shauna, attended the conference to encourage other leaders to take action for the ocean and reaffirm the nation’s commitment to marine protection.

Minister Aminath Shauna emphasized on the commitment by the Maldives to the ocean while addressing leaders from around the globe at the  interactive dialogue 5 entitled “promoting and strengthening sustainable ocean-based economies, in particular for Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries” at the UNOC.

As such, the Minister stated that the country support the global initiative to protect 30 percent of the world’s oceans and are working to protect at least 20 percent of the country’s economic zone. She however noted that Maldives alone cannot achieve this no matter how ambitious the actions are.

Minister Shauna further noted the need for sustainable fishery to be the norm, not the outlier. She stated that what the country needs is development that incorporates ocean protection and climate resilience.

The Minister also recognized that protection extends beyond just environmental conservation and acknowledged the Noo Raajje program’s efforts to plan for the future of the ocean. She expressed hope to protect at least 20 percent and said the country is developing a Marine Spatial Plan with scientific knowledge.

Stating that protection is not just about environmental protection, Minister Shauna stated that it is the way we shape our economic future in a sustainable manner. She stated that it is how we create jobs and income for our people.

This reaffirms President Ibrahim Solih’s commitment to protecting at least 20 percent of the ocean at the United Nations General Assembly in 2019.

This declaration acted as the basis for the Noo Raajje program, a partnership between the Government of the Maldives and the Blue Prosperity Coalition to build a brighter future for all Maldivians through sustainable fisheries practices, Blue Economy development, marine spatial planning and ocean protection, to achieve sustainable ocean management.

Noo Raajje is a partnership between the Government of the Maldives and the Blue Prosperity Coalition to protect the ocean and its resources in order to build a bright future for communities, the economy, and the environment.

The program aims to promote the advancement of Maldivian ocean science and stewardship through research, education, capacity building, and outreach, including collaborating with and providing support to local scientists and civil society.

Noo Raajje is led by the Government of the Maldives, including the President’s Office and the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture, and in partnership with some government agencies