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.

High Commissioner H.E. Dr. Mariyam Shabeena Ahmed attended the 2nd International Conference on Tropical Sciences, held on 16-17 October 2024, in Kuching, Sarawak, where she participated as a panellist during the “Policy Dialogue on Sustainable Development in the Tropics.”

During the panel discussion, the High Commissioner addressed the challenges confronting tropical small island states like Maldives, including climate change, sea level rise, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and extreme weather events. She outlined the urgency of these issues, which pose existential threats to island nations, while also suggesting ways to counter them. The High Commissioner spoke about the strategies such as coastal protection, adopting nature-based solutions, expanding renewable energy use, and diversifying the economy to reduce dependence on tourism and fisheries. Additionally, she highlighted  the need to build resilience through science-based policies, international collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

The panel discussion, which included H.E. Ary Norton de Mura Quintella, Ambassador of Brazil to Malaysia, and H.E. Lisualdo Menezes Coimbra Gaspar, Ambassador of Timor-Leste, was moderated by H.E. Dr. Shazelina Zainul Abidin, Undersecretary of the South and Central Asia Division of Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During her visit to Sarawak, the High Commissioner toured the Borneo Culture Museum, where she discussed cultural exchange opportunities, and met with Professor Dr. Ahmad Hata bin Rasit, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), to explore potential collaborations in higher education and research.

The High Commission of Maldives in Malaysia launched its inaugural orientation programme, Eku Ekeegai, on 12 October 2024, aimed at supporting Maldivian students pursuing their studies in Malaysia.
On 12 October 2024, the High Commission of Maldives in Malaysia launched its first orientation programme, Eku Ekeegai, aimed to support Maldivian students in Malaysia.

The initiative, designed to ease the transition for Maldivian students, was officially inaugurated by High Commissioner, H,E. Dr. Mariyam Shabeena Ahmed. Speaking at the ceremony, she stressed the significance of the programme in minimising the challenges students may face during their stay in Malaysia

Former Prosecutor General of Maldives, Al-Ustaz Ahmed Muizzu, who was the first Maldivian to complete an undergraduate degree in Malaysia four decades ago, also addressed the attendees. He shared personal experiences from his time as a student and highlighted how the orientation programme can benefit the current cohort.

Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs, Al-Ustaza Hawa Lateef, provided religious guidance on maintaining values while studying abroad, while psychologist Fathimath Ibrahim briefly highlighted the importance of mental health.
The Eku Ekgeegai programme aims to ease the transition for students, helping them navigate the challenges of settling in Malaysia and ensuring a smooth educational journey. The programme provides students with guidance on adjusting to life in Malaysia, building connections with fellow students, and becoming familiar with visa regulations, Malaysian customs, and the local culture.
This initiative aligns with the Maldivian government's broader policy of developing skilled professionals to contribute to the country's growth and prosperity.