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Ninth Inter Governmental Meeting on Male' Declaration on control and prevention of air pollutionOctober 3 2007 Trans boundary air pollution is a serious problem faced by countries in South Asia and Male' Declaration is a useful instrument to tackle these problems through cooperation, Minister of Environment, Energy and Water Ahmed Abdullah has said. Minister Abdullah has said so at the opening ceremony of the Ninth Inter Governmental Meeting on Male' Declaration on control and prevention of air pollution and its likely trans boundary effects and the fourth meeting of stakeholders held at Dharubaaruge (more) A Pledge by Maldivians The President says that it is important to maintain a balance between Development and the Environment. Monday, August 6, 2007 The President presents the “Green Leaf” Award to Six recipients to acknowledge their service to the Environment. The President says that the Reform Agenda is successful and that there was no valid reason to say that it is a failure (more)
The process of drafting the Third National Environment Action Plan The Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water is presently in the process of drafting the Third National Environment Action. We invite all stakeholders to participate in the development process of this Action Plan... (more) Capacity Building in Ecosystem-Based Management Approaches for the Coastal Areas and Coral Reefs in the Maldives under the Australian Public Sector Linkages Programme Launched Monday 18th June 2007 Today in Male, Mr. Abdullahi Majeed, Deputy Minister of Environment, Energy and Water opened an important training workshop focused on building capacity in the management of the local environmental (more)
Training on Economic and Ecological Monitoring Techniques June 12 2007 A two-day training programme on economic and ecological monitoring has begun today. The programme was inaugurated by the Deputy Minister of Environment, Energy & Water, Mr. Abdullahi Majeed (more)
Maldives exploring energy from waste June 11 2007 Maldives has started a feasibility study to explore energy from waste. This was announced by Environment Research Centre while launching a regional waste management system in Alifu Dhaalu Mahibadhoo on Saturday (more)
EU / World Bank helps Maldives Regional Waste Management Project June 9 2007 European Union and World Bank are helping the Maldives to set up waste management policies and systems. A Regional Waste Management Project covering 5 central atolls jointly financed by EU, World Bank and Government of Maldives, was launched today in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll capital Mahibadhoo (more)
Maldives Marks World Environment Day June 5 2007 The Maldives is today marking World Environment Day throughout the country, with various programmes and activities organized in Male' and the atolls. The day is particularly significant for the island nation, facing increasing environment threats including sea level rise and increasingly frequent tidal swells. Maldives has recently intensified preventive, adaptation and mitigation measures to reduce the impacts of its growing environmental problems(more)
Maldives launches Return of the Flowers programmeJune 5 2007 The Maldives has launched a Return of the Flowers programme under UNEP's Billion Tree campaign. Return of the Flowers is aimed at reviving many varieties of flowering plants which were common in the country in the past but are becoming rare in the present. The programme was part of the activities organised to mark World Environment Day today(more)
ދުނިޔޭގެ ތިމާވެށީގެ ދުވަސް ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގައި ފާހަގަކޮށްފި ި މިނިސްޓްރީ އޮފް އެންވަޔަރަންމަންޓް، އެނަރޖީ އެންޑް ވޯޓަރ 05 ޖޫން 2007 މިއަދަކީ ދުނިޔޭގެ ތިމާވެށީގެ ދުވަހެވެ. މިދުވަސް މުޅި ރާއްޖޭގައި ފާހަގަ ކުރަމުން އެބަދެއެވެ. މިނިސްޓްރީ އޮފް އެންވަޔަރަންމަންޓް، އެނަރޖީ އެންޑް ވޯޓަރ އާއި ގުޅިގެން މާލެ އާއި އަތޮޅުތަކުގެ ސްކޫލް ތަކާއި، އޮފީސް ތަކާއި، ރިސޯރޓް ތަކާއި، ކުންފުނިތަކާއި ކޮމެޓީތަކާއި، ހިލޭސާބަހައް މަސައްކަތްކުރާ ޖަމާތްތަކުން ތަފާތު ޕްރޮގްރާމްތަކާއި ހަރަކާތްތަށް ހިންގަމުންއެބަދެއެވެ.ތަފްޞ Maldives testifies at a hearing of the US House of Representatives select committee on energy and global warming solutions for vulnerable communities 22 October 2007
 The Maldives has testified at a hearing of the United States House of Representatives on the subject of Energy and Global Warming Solutions for Vulnerable Communities.
Following an invitation extended by the US House of Representatives Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, Mr. Amjad Abdulla, Assistant Director General of the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water testified at the hearing on behalf of the Government of Maldives.
At the hearing which was held on Thursday, 18 October, Mr. Amjad Abdulla highlighted that the global warming and climate change represents a crisis that threatens the very existence of the Maldives. In this regard he highlighted the efforts by His Excellency President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom to bring international attention to this matter, and noted that for the past 20 years the President has been advocating for action by the international community to address this problem. Mr. Amjad Abdulla noted that although 20 years ago global warming and climate change was an issue of significance only to few countries like the Maldives, it is now a reality in all parts of the world.
He said, for other vulnerable communities around the world, failure to address this threat will have devastating consequences for their livelihood and ultimately human lives, whereas for the Maldives it would result the death of a nation.
Mr. Abdulla stated the global warming is real, accelerating and human induced which has been clearly established by scientific consensus of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and leaves us no doubt about the challenges we face. He also reminded of the warning by Sir Nicholas Stern, leading economist, that if no action is taken immediately to address this problem, climate change would have significant impacts on the global economy.
For small island states like the Maldives, he said that even a slight change to the global climate will have devastating effects. He cited that in recent months Maldives has experienced tidal surges on an unprecedented scale causing flooding in many islands, which showed grim reminder of the devastating tsunami of 2004. As a country with barely 1.5 meters above sea level, Maldivians look at the horizon with fear that rising sea levels could threaten to inundate their land and submerge the entire nation.
During his hearing, he provided details of adaptation measures taken by the Government of Maldives such as the coastal protection works around the islands, and the projected development of ‘safer islands’ to ensure the security of vulnerable communities and their relocation to bigger islands with better coastal protection and other infrastructures. However, he said that these measures are bare minimal that the Government could do, but not sufficient to protect the entire populations in the time of an environmental crisis.
Mr. Abdulla also highlighted that the Maldives has been at the forefront of raising the issue at the international level. In this regard, he informed the Committee of the conference to be hosted by the Maldives in November on the subject of Human Dimension of Climate Change.
In his hearing, Mr. Abdulla urged the US House of Representatives to take the lead on reducing emissions and stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations at levels that would restore the balance of the Earth’s climate system. Moreover, he requested the assistance of the United States in providing protection of its islands from an environmental calamity caused by climate change.
The Select Committee which comprised of 8 Members was chaired by Mr. Edward J. Markey, Member of the House of Representatives from Massachusetts.
While four testimonies were heard at the event, Maldives was the only vulnerable community represented as a country. The other three were vulnerable communities and humanitarian NGOs from the United States. The testimony was an outcome of the recent meeting in Washington between the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Abdulla Shahid and Mr. Edward Markey, chair of the Select Committee on Energy and Global Warming.
Maldives to host climate change meeting to support Bali Summit October 14 2007 The Republic of Maldives will next month host an international climate change meeting ahead of the December UN brokered meeting in Bali where it is hoped to agree to keep global warming within manageable limits in line with the Kyoto Protocol. The Male' meeting which will be attended by ministers and senior officials from developing island nations will be declared open by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Mr. Ahmed Abdullah, the Minister of Environment of the Maldives, said last week that there has been forward movement internationally in meeting challenges confronting low lying island nations like the Maldives as a result of rising sea levels. Over the past 20 years, President Gayoom has used the high profile platforms of various international meetings including the UN General Assembly to alert international opinion of dangers faced by countries like his risking obliteration from the face of the earth by the rising sea level. Abdullah noted that climate change is the greatest threat faced by the world today with the emission of greenhouse gas to the atmosphere increasing alarmingly. He said that this reality has been unequivocally confirmed by the UN Panel of Climate Change which has said in recent reports that some low lying islands face extinction during this century unless climate change is tackled. The UN Panel has called urgent practical action to combat this problem. " Thankfully, environment is now on the top of the global agenda and a new sense of commitment on the need for action is emerging from the world community" Abdullah said. " Several important efforts are being made, many international meetings held and new studies of scientific and technological knowledge on this subject are undertaken" He said there is substantial information on how individual countries and the international community can work together in a new partnership to combat greenhouse gas emission and save the world from catastrophic consequences. " The forthcoming Bali Summit will hopefully be a watershed to decide on measures to combat environmental and climate change problems" Abdullah said. The Maldives meeting titled " Human dimensions of climate change" will have an agenda dealing with many effects of climate change on human beings and specially environmental human rights.. " A safe environment is obviously the most important human right" he said. When we look on sustainable development and quality of life, it goes without saying that the right to a safe environment is a prerequisite for the development. Abdullah said that the topic of human rights as an indivisible part of the environment and life itself will be extensively discussed at the Male' meeting. In an address to the Royal Commonwealth Society in London in July this year, Gayoom called for a new initiative in this regard. " I think the world must take a clear and firm decision at Bali to move from inaction to action and from pollution to protection" Abdullah said. " Environment must not be compromised for development. There should be a good balance between development and environment. After all, a safe environment is the best guarantee for sustainable economic development. Protecting the environment makes good economic sense" he said. courtesy: Sunday Island.
Ninth Inter Governmental Meeting on Male' Declaration on control and prevention of air pollutionOctober 3 2007 Trans boundary air pollution is a serious problem faced by countries in South Asia and Male' Declaration is a useful instrument to tackle these problems through cooperation, Minister of Environment, Energy and Water Ahmed Abdullah has said. Minister Abdullah has said so at the opening ceremony of the Ninth Inter Governmental Meeting on Male' Declaration on control and prevention of air pollution and its likely trans boundary effects and the fourth meeting of stakeholders held at Dharubaaruge. The Minister said President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has taken many initiatives to bring the issues of increasing threats of environment to the attention of the international community for the past twenty years. " President Gayoom's call and warnings have been proven by the Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC ). Climate change is a reality today. Maldives is one of the most vulnerable countries to these threats." Mr. Abdullah said.
The Minister further said that the meeting is taking place at a time of increasing international and national commitment and action for the environment. It is a time when the world is engaged in dialogue to move from inaction to action and from pollution to protection to heal an ailing world. Referring to the forthcoming Bali Summit he said the summit would hopefully be a new turning point in deciding urgent practical measures to combat climate change. The Minister said Maldives remain committed to the cause of protecting the environment and in that spirit will convene a conference in Maldives in November among small island developing countries as a contribution to the Bali Summit.
Mr. Abdullah also said Maldives is one of the countries which emit least amount of pollutants to the atmosphere. However, the impact of emissions from other countries in the region is felt greatly. He noted that according to experiments conducted under the Indian Ocean Experiment ( INDOEX ) project, 10 million square kilometres of Indian Ocean tropical region is polluted by a brownish haze layer. He expressed concern over its health and other effects and said that the Male' Declaration is an important step forward to curb such pollution.
Deputy Minister of Environment Abdullahi Majeed, Regional Director of UNEP Surendra Shrestha, Director General of SACEP Dr. Arvind Boaz and Director of Stockholm Environment Institute Johan Kuylentierna spoke at the meeting. Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan,Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Iran are signatories to the Male' Declaration.
The President says that it is important to maintain a balance between Development and the Environment. The President presents the “Green Leaf” Award to Six recipients to acknowledge their service to the Environment. The President says that the Reform Agenda is successful and that there was no valid reason to say that it is a failure Monday, August 6, 2007 The President said that it is important to maintain a balance between Development and the Environment. He made the statement at today’s official meeting held to mark this year’s Environment Day. Speaking at the meeting, the President said that it was vital to give consideration to the environment in our various economic activities and development. The President was accorded a very warm welcome on his arrival this morning at Mahibadhoo, to attend the official meeting to mark the Environment Day 2007. The President was welcomed by Senior Officials of the Government and others attending the Environment Day function. A welcome song was presented by the students of the South Ari Atoll Education Centre. In his speech delivered at the function, the President emphasised on carrying out the economic development in a way that would not destroy the environment. Highlighting the importance of creating awareness concerning the Environment at a time of increasing economic development, the President stated that it was imperative to gain the advice of Environmentalists. The President also emphasised on seeking our livelihoods in an environment-friendly way and said that the collective effort of the society including the young and the old was required to make this endeavour a success. He also requested the media to give a special attention to this issue. While speaking at the meeting, the President said that it was essential for every individual to try to plant more trees and to protect the existing ones as well. The President also spoke about the Reform Agenda and said that it is a very successful programme and that there was no reason to say that it is a failure. Speaking in this regard, the President gave a detailed description of the successes and the steps taken under the Reform Agenda. The President also said that the Reform Agenda will continue. The President also called on all eligible voters to take part in the public referendum that is to be held on the 18th of August and said that the referendum will decide the form of government in the Maldives in the future. The coveted “President of Maldives Green Leaf Award for Environmental Excellence” was also presented at today’s meeting. The recipients of the Award include Edel Weise Air, Addu Atoll Feydhoo School, Eco Care, Miadhu Newspaper, Sony Hardware and South Ari Atoll Dhigurah. The President congratulated and thanked them for their effort in protecting and preserving the environment. He also encouraged the recipients to continue in their endeavour. At today’s meeting held to mark the World Environment Day, a group of students from the South Ari Atoll Education Centre presented the Environmental Appeal of the Maldivians. Prizes were also presented to the winners of the activities held to mark the World Environment Day. These prizes were presented by the Minister of Environment, Energy and Water, Mr. Ahmed Abdulla. A special commemorative plaque was also presented to the people of Mahibadhoo in appreciation of the excellence with which they had organised the Environment Day 2007 celebrations on the island. This presentation was also made by the Minister Mr. Ahmed Abdullah. In his welcoming remarks Mr. Ahmed Abdulla highlighted the importance of the Environmental Appeal. The Minister also thanked the President for his efforts in bringing the Environmental issues to the attention of the International community. He also said that the current situation of the environment is known to everyone. Among the recipients of the “Green Leaf” Award, Mr. Hassan Hameez from Sony Hardware also spoke at the meeting. The vote-of-thanks was delivered by the South Ari Atoll, Atoll Chief Mr. Abdulla Jameel. After the meeting the President officially launched the programme by planting a tree to revive the beach area of Mahibadhoo. The President arrived Male’ this evening after concluding his visit.
Capacity Building in Ecosystem-Based Management Approaches for the Coastal Areas and Coral Reefs in the Maldives under the Australian Public Sector Linkages Programme Launched Monday 18th June 2007 Today in Male, Mr. Abdullahi Majeed, Deputy Minister of Environment, Energy and Water opened an important training workshop focused on building capacity in the management of the local environmental. The project funded by AusAID and The University of Queensland includes seminars, field visits as well as secondments by Maldivian counterparts to Australia. The workshop titled Ecosystem-based Management of Coastal Area and Coral Reefs in the Maldives is the first part of the training program and is being held over a two week period in June. Mr Majeed considered the course essential as it is tailor-made for the Maldives by the University of Queensland and captures interests in the two main industries of the archipelago; fishing and tourism. Mr Majeed said that the training program continues the long association the Maldives have with Australian expertise and that this training was important because it recognises fragility of the Maldivian environment and the extra care that is required for its conservation and management. Mr. Majeed expressed his gratitude to the Australian Government for their great partnership and interest shown towards Maldives and the opportunity it created for Australian scientist to continuing to train local environmentalists. Training on Economic and Ecological Monitoring Techniques June 12 2007 A two-day training programme on economic and ecological monitoring has begun today. The programme was inaugurated by the Deputy Minister of Environment, Energy & Water, Mr. Abdullahi Majeed. The training programme is intended to provide an overview of how an ecosystem assessment can be carried out in a participatory manner by involving island communities. The participants are introduced to the Conceptual links between ecosystem services and human wellbeing; Dose-response relationships through ecological assessments; Economic valuation of ecosystem goods and services; Biodiversity assessment techniques; Rapid Rural Appraisal techniques; and Ecosystem rehabilitation. The training was arranged by UNEP, and facilitated by Dr. Kallesoe and Dr. Channa from the World Conservation Union (IUCN), as a part of Huraa Mangrove Project. A community member from Huraa and twenty five participants from various Government Departments are attending the training. Maldives exploring energy from waste June 11 2007 Maldives has started a feasibility study to explore energy from waste. This was announced by Environment Research Centre while launching a regional waste management system in Alifu Dhaalu Mahibadhoo on Saturday. A contract to undertake a feasibility study on waste energy incineration in 5 islands was signed between the Centre and UNDP at the ceremony in Mahibadhoo. Environment Energy and Water Minister Ahmed Abdullah who launched the project said that producing energy from waste will be very useful for finding sustainable solutions for waste management and alternative energy. Haa Dhaalu Kulhuduffushi, Lhaviyani Naifaru, Alifu Dhaalu Mahibadhoo, Gnaviyani Fuvahmulah, Seenu Hithadhoo and Noonu Holhudhoo are the five islands selected for this feasibility study. The Study which is funded by UNDP will be undertaken by IT Power India. Asst Director General Ahmed Saleem of the ERC said that work of this study will be started in Seenu Hithadhoo and Gnaviyani Fuvahmulah in the next few days. They expect the study to be completed in about three months. The study will examine the quantity and calorific value of waste and other data that are necessary to determine how much of energy can be produced from waste in an incinerator specially made for that purpose. Saleem said that it is expected that a reasonable quantity of energy can be produced from the waste through this technology.
EU / World Bank helps Maldives Regional Waste Management Project June 9 2007 European Union and World Bank are helping the Maldives to set up waste management policies and systems. A Regional Waste Management Project covering 5 central atolls jointly financed by EU, World Bank and Government of Maldives, was launched today in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll capital Mahibadhoo. The Project costing US 2.8 million US dollars was inaugurated by Minister of Environment, Energy and Water Ahmed Abdullah at a ceremony held in Mahibadhoo this morning. The project includes a feasibility study on sustainable waste management, a waste management awareness programme and setting up waste management centres in 16 islands of the region. Alifu Alifu Atoll, Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, Meemu Atoll, Faafu Atoll and Dhaalu Atoll are beneficiaries of the project.The region will also have a waste filling site. Speaking at the meeting, Minister Abdullah said that sustainable waste management has become a serious priority of the country which faces many environmental threats and problems. He said a good waste management polcy and system is an imperative in the continuing efforts of the government to tackle environmental problems in the face of increasing environmental threats. Already waste management centres have been established in more than 100 islands. " Waste is a serious problem, unlike in the past we are producing mountains of waste now a days. We have to manage and dispose it well, otherwise its going to cause many environment and health problems. The beauty of our islands will also be lost if ou islands have unmanagable waste. So we have to solve our problems of waster urgently" Minister Abdullah said. He appealed to the people to avoid wasteful ways and lifestyle to help reduce waste. Elaborating on the importance of awareness and education, the Minister said information with evidence will help to change behaviours and inculcate a responsible partnership of the community to reduce, reuse and recycle waste. He said that Maldivians must seriously think of reducing the comparatively large quantity of plastic waste produced in the country and of resucing some waste for gainful purposes. He said that the country must also explore generating energy from waste. Deputy Environment Minister Abdulla Majeed, welcoming the participants who included EU, UNDP, IFRC representatives and atoll chiefs from the five atolls of this project, said that the project is designed to develop long-term waste management policies and programmes. Alifu Dhaalu Atoll Chief Mohamed Mahir said that Alifu Dhaalu and the other four atolls will work hard for succcess of the project. He also said that Mahibadhoo was honoured to host this year's World Environment Day and he is glad that the regional waste management project has been launched as part of the environment day programme. Ms Zara representing EU spoke to say that EU was happy to help in the developmental efforts of Maldives and be a party to the project. She wished the project will help Maldives find sustainable solutions to waste management. Three contracts were signed at the ceremony to undertake a feasibility study on a national waste management programme by Sweden's Sweco, a waste management awareness and education programme by Live & Learn of Maldives and a technical and financial study on a waste to energy incineration project in some islands by IT Power India. Documents for the setting up of 16 isoland waste management centres in the region were handed over to the chiefs of these islands at the ceremony.
Maldives Marks World Environment Day June 5 2007 The Maldives is today marking World Environment Day throughout the country, with various programmes and activities organized in Male' and the atolls. The day is particularly significant for the island nation, facing increasing environment threats including sea level rise and increasingly frequent tidal swells. Maldives has recently intensified preventive, adaptation and mitigation measures to reduce the impacts of its growing environmental problems.The main thrust of the Environment Day celebrations is on awareness and education to inculcate responsible people partnership to care and protect the very fragile environment of the country. Minister of Environment, Energy and Water Ahmed Abdullah in his message to TV radio and other media, highlighted the country's strong environment protection. He said stringent laws and regulations have been enforced to ensure maximum protection of the environment in development prorammes. More attention has also been given to take adaptation and mitigation measures in all development projects. While calling for greater care for the country's dwindling natural resources, the Minister reminded that environment sustainability icommitment to s the biggest guarantee for successful investments and assured that it also made good economic sense.Schools, media, offices, island and women's committees, tourist resorts, NGOs, business enterprises, industries have organized several programmes and activities on the occasion. All schools in the country will have special assemblies dedicated to environment protection and awareness programmes. Environment day programmes include tree planting, cleaning and replenishing beaches, collecting bottles and tins for reuse and recycling and promoting energy efficiency and energy saving, eco-housing and workshops and seminars to raise advocacy and awareness.Environment Ministry jointly with Scout Association and Malé Municipality will launch a "Return of Flowers" programme at children's park in Male', as part of the tree planting campaign which will proceed in Male' and other islands under the UNEP sponsored Billion Trees Programme started by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on 8 May. Return of the Flowers will be a series of programs to promote flowering plants in households and gardens.The main ceremony to mark World Environment Day will be held in A Dh Mahibadhoo on a later date when the coveted Green Leaf award given by President Gayoom will be awarded to selected people and organizations rendering outstanding services for the protection of the environment. The award will be given to more people in different sectors this year in recognition of their valuable services. One of the highlights of the main program would be making Maldives Appeal to the world for urgent support and help to save the Maldives from the increasing environment threats facing the low-lying island nation.
Maldives launches Return of the Flowers programme June 5 2007 The Maldives has launched a Return of the Flowers programme under UNEP's Billion Tree campaign. Return of the Flowers is aimed at reviving many varieties of flowering plants which were common in the country in the past but are becoming rare in the present. The programme was part of the activities organised to mark World Environment Day today. The country has organised tree planting, cleaning and awareness programmes throughout the country to mark the occasion.
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