President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has emphasised that the value Maldivians place on environmental protection forms the foundation of the nation's responsibility towards both current and future prosperity and development.
In commemoration of World Environment Day, President Dr Muizzu in a message on his official X account, noted that foreign interest in the Maldives is largely driven by its natural environment.
He further highlighted that a significant portion of the nation's revenue is directly linked to the vitality of the seas and the natural beauty of the islands.
This year's World Environment Day theme, ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’, seeks to raise awareness of and address the harmful impact of plastic on the environment and human health.
The use of plastic and plastic products has increased significantly in recent years. However, plastic is inherently damaging to ecosystems, wildlife, and human well-being. Globally, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year. Experts estimate that approximately 19 to 23 million tonnes of plastic end up in the world’s oceans and rivers annually, contributing to widespread environmental pollution.
Maldives, a low lying island nation, is one of the most vulnerable countries to environmental impacts in the world. Maldives, in recent times has stepped up efforts in the international arena to advocate for climate change mitigation and environmental protection.
To lead by example, President Dr Muizzu has also launched a special programme to plant five million trees within the next five years. Under this initiative, more than 500,000 trees have been planted in different parts of the country by the end of last month.