President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced Maldives plans to phase out usage of single use plastic by 2023.
Addressing the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Solih highlighted the Maldivian effort will be the one of the most far-reaching and ambitious plastics phase-out plans of any nation on Earth.
Emphasising the effects of climate change cannot be solved without protecting the oceans, the president revealed Maldives will enter into a partnership with the Blue Prosperity Coalition on an ambitious blue economy plan, including marine protected areas to conserve the ocean resources that sustain the livelihoods and measures to protect them for future generations. He also added Maldives presented a plan, entitled climate smart resilient islands, which seeks to utilise natural solutions, promote innovation and leverage new technologies to build resilience in the communities.
Furthermore, President Solih expressed the peace and security of the Indian Ocean is inextricably linked to the peace and security of the world, adding its importance to the global economy cannot be overstated. The president noted the Indian Ocean remains, especially in its South Asian Core, one of the least integrated regions in the world, lacking regional governance and unable to reap the potential economic benefits of an effective multilateral order. He revealed the intentions of Maldives to promote regional integration through greater cooperation with its neighbours to make the Indian Ocean region peaceful and prosperous.