Maldives, Chair of AOSIS, underscores the special significance of the ocean to SIDS as custodians of large expanses of ocean

Monday, 05 June 2017 23:34

New York, 5 June 2017, The Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture of the Republic of Maldives, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Shainee urged steadfast efforts to care for and restore the health of oceans to achieve the targets of SDG 14 and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), Minister Shainee also noted the challenges of marine pollution, ocean acidification and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, which are of particular importance for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

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"Alliance of Small Island States co-hosts High-Level Dialogue on Oceans and Small Island States on first day of Ocean Conference"

Monday, 05 June 2017 23:27

New York, 5 June 2017:  The Maldives, as the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), co-hosted a High-Level Dialogue on Oceans and Seas with SIDS DOCK and the United Nations Office of The High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) focusing on voluntary commitments and partnerships focused towards achieving the SDG 14 targets in the context of Small Island Developing States.

While opening the High Level Dialogue, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Shainee, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture of the Republic of the Maldives, noted the significance of SDG 14 to SIDS, and the need for support from the international community including private stakeholders. H.E. Dr. Shainee also announced Maldives' voluntary commitments to combat marine pollution by intercepting plastic waste in collaboration with the nongovernmental organization, 'Parley for the Oceans'.

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Maldives commits to address marine pollution by reducing ocean plastics

Monday, 05 June 2017 23:21

New York, 5 June 2017:  The Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture of the Maldives, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Shainee today participated at the first partnership dialogue focusing on addressing marine pollution co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs of Indonesia, and H.E. Mr. Vidar Helgesen, the Minister of Climate of Norway. This was one of the seven official dialogues organised as part of the Ocean Conference that is taking place at United Nations Headquarters from 5-9 June 2017.

During the dialogue, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Shainee highlighted the global and interconnected nature of marine pollution, and emphasized how it directly impacts the economy, food security and quality of life of the Maldivian people, due to the close ties with the marine environment.

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Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture of the Republic of Maldives meets with Minister of Agriculture of Morocco

Monday, 05 June 2017 22:23

5 June 2017, New York; The Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. Mohamed Shainee, has held a meeting with His Excellency Mr Aziz Akhannouch, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries of Morocco this morning in New York.

The Ministers discussed the challenges to maintaining sustainable fisheries, including overfishing, illegal fishing and the critical need to prioritize sustainable fisheries practices and shared experiences to scale up sustainable fisheries.  They further discussed the possibilities of strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the fisheries sector.

The Ministers met at the sidelines of the ongoing high-level United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. The Maldives delegation to the Oceans is headed by Dr. Mohamed Shainee, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture of the Maldives.

Statement by H.E Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, President of Maldives on the United States Withdrawal from Paris Agreement

Friday, 02 June 2017 07:36

02 June 2017

QUOTE

The Maldives, Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), regrets the decision of the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Not only does it represent a blow to the global efforts against climate change, it is also a setback for the multilateral process that is essential for governing the international community.

As one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and a leader of 37 island and low-lying coastal nations at the United Nations, we are especially disappointed that the world's largest economy and biggest historic emitter abdicated its responsibility on such a critical issue. Still, immediately after the US announcement was made, much of the world reaffirmed its commitment to the Paris Agreement and our common dignity as global citizens. The European Union and China announced plans to hold a special climate summit in September and emerging leaders like India and Brazil assured the world of their determination to press on in the effort moving forward.

The Maldives will continue its historic role as the voice of the nations most vulnerable to climate change and work with all partners, new and old, to realise the promise of a clean energy economy and healthy planet.

UNQUOTE