Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has called for the provision of affordable financial assistance to developing small island nations to ensure marine security. The Minister made the appeal while addressing the United Nations Ocean Conference 2025, currently taking place in Nice, France, on behalf of the Maldives.
In his address, Minister Shiyam stressed that the ocean is a resource directly linked to the lives of the Maldivian people. He noted that fishing is both an economic necessity and a symbol of the Maldives’ rich culture and traditions.
Noting the increasing threats to the oceans, the Minister pointed out that sea level rise and coral reef degradation caused by climate change are not only concerns raised by scientists, but also pressing realities for the Maldivian people. Despite the Maldives being one of the most vulnerable countries to these threats, the archipelago has always been at the forefront of efforts to address such challenges, he noted.
The Minister noted that so far into President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s ongoing presidential term, 93 marine areas have been protected, meeting the targets set out by the UN Ocean Conference. He also noted that significant efforts are underway to stop the use of single-use and disposable plastics in the Maldives. The Minister stressed that it is especially important to ensure that developing small island nations have a meaningful voice in global ocean-related decisions.
Noting the need for countries to work together to conserve marine resources, the Minister acknowledged that developing island nations still face challenges in accessing financial assistance. He called on developed countries and donors to provide affordable financial support to such countries. He also called for debt relief for loans supporting marine conservation efforts as part of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly for countries with high debt. He asserted that this was a fair approach and that smaller nations are producing tangible results through the assistance they receive.
Minister Shiyam further concluded his address by urging the international community to measure success by outcomes rather than the signing of treaties.