His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Sareer, Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations addressed a Panel Discussion on Sustainable use of oceans and seas, and sustainable tourism on the margins of the Inter-sessional Meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the Third UN Conference on Small Island Developing States. Stating that oceans and marine resources constitute the main guarantee of food security for the Maldives, Ambassador Sareer noted that biodiversity contributes to 71% of national employment, 49% of public revenue and 98% of exports.
Ambassador Sareer highlighted that the effects of climate change and ocean acidification is negatively impacting the Maldives’ food security, tourism, fisheries, infrastructure, and the nation’s development path. Further, he noted the need to develop the Maldives’ resilience to Climate Change and to manage its dependence on natural resources. To this effect, the Maldives has invested in sustainable methods of tourism development, including a strict adherence to environmental standards, which regulate the industry. Additionally, the Maldives currently utilizes sustainable fishing practices and seeks to transition to low carbon energy production.
Noting the country’s active engagement on issues relating to oceans and seas, Ambassador Sareer reiterated Maldives’ call for a stand-alone goal on oceans in the formulation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Post-2015 Development agenda.
