High Commissioner H.E. Dr. Mariyam Shabeena Ahmed participated in the Sabah International Blue Conference held in Kota Kinabalu from on 19-20 October 2024, where she delivered a key presentation on waste management.
During the "Ambassadors and High Commissioners' Talk" session, the High Commissioner addressed global waste management challenges, with a particular focus on the Maldives. In her presentation, the High Commissioner highlighted the threats posed by the growing waste crisis to tourism and fisheries, two pillars of the nation's Blue Economy. She stressed on the importance of attending to the global waste crisis for a sustainable and resilient Blue Economy.
Speaking at the conference, officiated by Prime Minister of Malaysia, His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim, the High Commissioner shared information on a range of initiatives undertaken by Maldives in waste management. These efforts include phasing out single-use plastics, decentralizing waste collection, and launching nationwide cleanup campaigns such as the "Magey Saafu Raajje" program.
The High Commissioner addressed the challenges Maldives faces in managing waste, such as limited land for waste management infrastructure, increased waste generation during peak tourism seasons, and constrained resources coupled with a lack of public awareness. She further emphasized on the need for increased global cooperation and on the importance of using innovative technologies to address the waste problem.
During her trip to Sabah to participate in the conference, the High Commissioner attended a dinner hosted by The Right Honourable Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji bin Haji Noor, Chief Minister of Sabah, to welcome the ambassadors to Sabah.
