The workshop was attended by 26 participants, representing different ministries and government agencies relevant to the project. Welcoming remarks were delivered by Ms. Vera Hakim, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Maldives, followed by opening remarks by Dr Abdulla Naseer, Minister of State, Ministry of Environment.
In her welcoming remarks, Ms. Vera Hakim said that the sound management of chemicals and their wastes was not only a pressing environmental concern for the Maldives, but also stressed that it is one of the greatest developmental challenges faced globally. She added that the United Nations Development Programme promotes the sound management of chemicals as an important aspect of its work to reduce global poverty, promote human health and help countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. She thanked the Ministry for the priority that it places on creating a cleaner and safer environment for all Maldivians.
State Minister, Dr. Adbulla Naseer, welcomed all participations to the inception workshop. In his remarks, Dr. Naseer noted that Maldives lacks capacity for the sound management of Persistent Organic Pollutants, hazardous chemicals and hazardous wastes and the absence of locally appropriate technology and equipment for their sound management.