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Press Release
25 April 2024
UN Expert: Maldives Stuck Between Rock and Hard Place on Climate Change Issue
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Story
23 April 2024
Building Resilience in the Face of Climate Change: Empowering Communities in the Maldives
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Press Release
21 March 2024
Maldives: UN expert encourages efforts to promote inclusive governance and development
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in Maldives
The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.
Publication
16 August 2023
The Common Country Analysis (CCA) Maldives - June 2023
The Common Country Analysis (CCA) is designed to reflect the United Nations integrated, forward-looking and evidence-based joint analysis of the context for sustainable development in the Maldives, in view of achieving the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and as a basis for the UN programmatic support through the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The analysis is premised on the overall commitment to Leaving No One Behind (LNOB), the UN Charter and international norms and standards.
This report represents the first building block of the analysis, which will involve a continuous process of revision and adaptation as the context evolves and new evidence is made available. Four main data collection methodologies were utilized in the preparation of this document:
1. Analytical inputs from UN entities, resident and non- resident, with reference to their specific areas of expertise and mandate. These were collected through two main tools: mandate-specific data collection on topics of relevance to the agencies and a questionnaire on cross-cutting issues to capture entities’ perspectives on areas considered to be outside their core mandate, identifying synergies and trade-offs.
2. Semi-structured interviews with key informants. Interviewees included resident and non-resident UN entities, including those outside of the current United Nations Country Team (UNCT), International Financial Institutions (IFIs), government officials and other stakeholders.
3. A risk matrix through which UNCT member entities were surveyed to provide a quantitative assessment of the major risks and their potential impact on the future sustainable development of the country.
4. Desk review of existing country and sectoral studies and retrieval of statistical data from national and international sources, including government plans and reports.
Data and information have been disaggregated to the extent possible. The CCA highlights the data gaps, noting the need to strengthen capacity to collect data and continuously fill the gaps through future assessment. Targeted analysis has been undertaken by each of the UN agencies in line with their mandate. The greatest limitation to the CCA has been gaps in data to support comprehensive thematic analyses, or to map national realities against SDG targets. Secondly, there is a severe limitation in the availability of data disaggregated geographically, by gender, age, and other relevant characteristics in the Maldives.
Some of the guiding principles used in this document include the concept of Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) and the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA). Other principles that are reflected throughout the document are a focus on gender analysis and women’s empowerment, as well as the pursuit of (environmental) sustainability, associated with building up resilience.
The report is meant to be a concise, yet comprehensive, overview of the country’s challenges and opportunities to achieve the 2030 Agenda. Particular focus was placed on identifying intersectoral and transformative opportunities that could be seized for future joint planning and to unlock the country’s potential to achieve the SDGs. With less than a decade remaining until 2030, the time for action is now and all sectors in society need to be engaged.
The preliminary findings of the CCA published in March 2020 were validated by UN and national stakeholders at a workshop. Extensive comments on the draft CCA were also made by the regional Peer Support Group. With the COVID-19 pandemic and given how it has significantly impacted the Maldives, UNCT decided that the CCA would need to be significantly rewritten before UNSDCF process starts. This work was done internally, under the Resident Coordinator Office (RCO)’s facilitation, with inputs from all resident and non-resident UN agencies in the Maldives. The process took place in the last quarter of 2020 and the final version was endorsed by UNCT in January 2021. It is this version of the CCA that formed the basis of our analysis for the development of the UNSDCF. UN agencies, funds and programmes based in the Maldives and beyond contributed to this review. The CCA is a living document, updated regularly as required3, to assure that the UNSDCF the UN’s analysis of key issues remains current. The present report is being updated with new data / analysis we have gathered during the year and ensure that our analysis is still up to date.
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Press Release
22 March 2023
MALDIVES INTEGRATED NATIONAL FINANCING FRAMEWORK (INFF)
Malé, March 21, 2023: The Maldives Minister of Finance has formally endorsed the Maldives Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF). The Maldives INFF delivers a comprehensive financing strategy on climate action and provides a set of highly action-oriented strategies to unlock both domestic and external resources; from the private sector, international financing institutions, philanthropic, and impact and cause-driven sources of financing, to augment and scale-up existing public sources of financing towards climate and social sector financing needs.
The strategy aims to support the financing of the Maldives Strategic Action Plan (2019-2023), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and other national and sectoral development plans to enable the achievement of the national and international climate and sustainable development commitments made by the country. The INFF is a core priority identified in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2022-2026 between the UN and the Government of Maldives. The financing strategy puts achieving gender-equality at the heart of all financing actions, as an important cross-cutting theme and provides specific policy options to ensure that the actions proposed under the strategy are gender-sensitive.
Following the launch of the INFF, Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer announced the intention to establish the Maldives Climate Finance Hub (MCFH) within the Ministry of Finance, with the technical assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as the primary mechanism to implement the financing strategy and provide overall technical expertise to the Ministry of Finance and other relevant sector ministries and agencies on climate finance matters. An Advisory Board will be established with representation from national and international stakeholders, to provide advice and guidance to the MCFH.
The INFF is a global UN initiative being implemented in more than 86 countries worldwide to finance National Development Plans (NDPs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There are currently 18 Small Developing Island States (SIDS) developing their own INFFs and today, the Maldives becomes the first SIDS country to develop and formally endorse an INFF and financing strategy.
Speaking at the INFF launch, Minister Ameer stated, “This financing strategy will advance the Maldives climate agenda, to transform our economy away from fossil fuel dependency, strengthen resilience to external shocks, and drive existing and new investments towards sustainable and inclusive growth.”
The development of the Maldives INFF began under the leadership of the Ministry of Finance in June 2020. Through a United Nations Joint Programme led by the UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Maldives provided technical advisory to the Ministry of Finance to develop the INFF. The process of INFF development was spearheaded by a high-level Steering Committee consisting of 13 Government agencies, co-chaired by the Honorable Minister of Finance of the Maldives, Ibrahim Ameer and by the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Catherine Haswell. The INFF is the result of an extensive consultative process whereby, stakeholders from public, private, NGOs, industry bodies and IFIs provided support and input.
United Nations Resident Coordinator Catherine Haswell noted the importance of the delivery of this work, in the context of intergovernmental negotiations for the next COP on Climate Action in Egypt in November 2023, the currently ongoing meeting on the Global Goal for Adaptation (GGA) being hosted by the Maldives, the 2023 UN Water Conference (22-24 March), and the SDG Summit in New York in September. Moreover, it is a critical piece which demonstrates the expertise and role of the UN in upper middle-income countries as a provider of integrated policy advice with the potential to unlock a series of portfolios which can accelerate delivery of the 2030 Agenda.
UNDP Resident Representative in the Maldives, Enrico Gaveglia congratulated Minister Ameer, and stated, “You have often been confronted with denial of market access because of unfavorable demographic accounting or the so-called economies of scale. I can assure you, if we all manage to put a value tag to your natural resources, you’d leapfrog to be the holder of a global natural asset that shall be safeguarded with all our efforts simply because it benefits all – you in Maldives and elsewhere.”
This collaboration between United Nations and the Ministry of Finance continues the value-added joint effort in enhancing the parallel implementation of the Maldives’ development agenda, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Gender-Responsive Integrated Climate Financing Strategy endorsed by the Government of Maldives can be accessed at https://www.finance.gov.mv/public/attachments/lzyzZHIHy0ZWB7Yl17aw16YkFhE5o8DfVxThmruO.pdf
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Publication
30 March 2024
UN Maldives Annual Results Report 2023
The Annual Results Report offers a broad overview of how the UN Country Team has advanced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on a significant scale, collaborating with the government, private sector, and civil society. Each of the 14 UN agencies contributes unique expertise, collectively making comprehensive contributions to Maldives United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. Through this framework, the UN provides technical, normative, and policy solutions to assist Maldives in becoming a more equitable, inclusive, and prosperous nation in accordance with its national priorities.
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Story
23 April 2024
Building Resilience in the Face of Climate Change: Empowering Communities in the Maldives
The Maldives, as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), is deeply intertwined with the surrounding ocean, influencing both its way of life and its obstacles. While the country flourishes by enticing visitors to its stunning azure waters, the nation grapples with a myriad of climate-related adversities, exacerbated by its low-lying terrain and susceptibility to rising sea levels. With over 80% of its Islands resting barely a meter above sea level, the Maldives stands prominently on the frontline of climate-driven crises, contending with flooding, storm surges, and various other natural hazards. The alterations in weather patterns have notably intensified precipitation, thereby heightening the risk of flooding, particularly in low-lying areas presenting an ongoing peril to the inhabitants.Considering the current situation and well as the climate projections, in countries like Maldives, disaster risk resilience is essential to the communities to helps people prepare for disasters both in adaptation and mitigation attempts. Recognizing the critical need for action, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with various national stakeholders have joined forces in a collaborative effort to bolster the Maldives' resilience against climate-related hazards while the country is dedicated to enhancing its resilience against climate-related hazards. As a part of this project in Maldives, a 3-day capacity building workshop on “National and Subnational Planning for Sustainable Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Adaptation, and Mitigation” was held in Maldives on Jan 30-Feb 1, 2024, in hybrid mode in Malé City, as a collaboration between United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and Maldives National University (MNU)Just weeks before this workshop, in between the end of December 2023, to the second week of January 2024 several off-season relentless heavy rains swept through the Maldives, causing flood, extensive damage to crop in some islands and challenges for The capital city Malé and its suburban extensions, Hulhumalé and Hulhulé were affected by widespread flooding. In Male, many areas of the island were under 1 foot of flood water. Rainfall on December 31st was marked as the highest rainfall ever recorded in Hulhulé's recent history. The aftermath was grim, with 140 homes damaged by water infiltration, ground saturation, and leakage, leaving families devastated and communities reeling. Many parts of the airport were flooded which disrupted the flight schedules. This is not an isolated incident. The irregularities of weather and climate poses significant challenges for the remote northern and southern islands of the Maldives, extending beyond Male'. In October 2023, heavy rainfall caused floods in the northern islands of Haa Alif and Haa Dhaal Atoll, prompting precautionary warnings from the Maldives National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). In 2022, the Maldives faced a total of 128 incidents across 19 atolls, with surges being the most common hazard, followed by floods and strong winds. Surges were particularly prevalent in July, while floods peaked in May. Among all incidents, surges had the most significant impact on households, with Thaa atoll reporting the highest number of cases. In 2021, Haa Alif Hoarafushi Airport also bore the brunt of the heavy rain, experiencing huge damages to its infrastructure.According to the testimonial of an inhabitant from Hulhumale, the weather patterns in the Maldives have undergone significant alterations. Previously, June and July were characterized by the onset of the rainy and windy season, accompanied by rough seas. However, in recent times, even during the month of December or January, adverse weather conditions have been observed, marked by heavy rainfall across the country, leading to widespread flooding. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in the frequency and intensity of tidal surges.“The unpredictability of weather events has become pronounced, with heavy rain occurring unexpectedly, resulting in flooding on several islands and adversely impacting the livelihoods of the populace” Resident of HulhumaleAccording to NDMA, identifying and categorizing hazards like cyclones, tsunamis, flooding, and coastal erosion has been a challenge in Maldives due to the interconnected nature and varied impacts. Additionally, ensuring data privacy and security while making information accessible for research and policy purposes requires a balance to protect sensitive data effectively.To fill the gap, as part of SDG funded joint project ESCAP has developed the current and future risk profile of Maldives for different climate hazards based on climate projection information and shared the results with the stakeholders from across the sectors during the workshop. The study not only reflects “what the climate will be” but also “what the climate will do” by integrating sectoral information with the possible change in climate in the upcoming days.According to the results, the central atolls of Maldives which were affected by the recent flooding are more likely to receive high rainfall in future. Many islands in this area have already experienced rainwater related floods in the past. The flooded areas in Male and Hulhule which are identified by low-lying area (with elevation <=1 m) in the study, were under water during the recent flood.
Climate change poses significant socio-economic and cultural challenges for the Maldives, impacting all sectors of the economy. The communities in the islands heavily rely on agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, all of which are directly affected by shifting weather patterns and rising sea levels. After Male’, among the other atolls, the top five atolls with highest percentage of exposed population are Thaa (4%), Kaafu (4%), Alifu Dhaalu (2%), Shaviyani (1%) and Dhaalu atoll (1%). Moreover, 28% of the critical infrastructures such as health, education, water management and government buildings of the country are exposed to high rainfall and many of them are in flood prone areas with lower elevation.ESCAP study shows that, around 55% of population might be exposed to very high rainfall and related impacts by 2060 while around 85% of the female population is likely to be exposed to 1.4°C increase in average temperature by 2040 with worst-case scenario. In addition to such high level of exposure, due to various vulnerability factors such as their responsibilities in the household and toward domestic labor, climate change impacts are disproportionately impacting women.The Maldivian government has been continuously putting efforts to minimize gender parity in all aspects. In 2019 The Decentralization Act (No. 7/2010) was amended requiring that one-third of all local council seats be held by women, ensuring women’s participation in all levels of policy making and implementation. Since then, the participation of women in the local governance has significantly increased, but there is still a vast area for improvement and enhancing the participation of women in all levels of decision making.‘‘Women's leadership entails more than just representation; it demands resilience, innovation, and inclusive engagement. Amidst climate change and disaster risks, our voices and efforts hold significance, shaping a path towards a safer, more sustainable future for all’. Aminath Rishfa Ahmed, Councilor, Male City CouncilUnderstanding the severity of the situation, it’s vital to bring disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) into development planning and implementation at all levels. As a part of the SDG-funded project, ESCAP, in an effort to provide the climate change data, information, and decision-making tools for all, has developed a web-based decision support system for Maldives under the ESCAP Risk and Resilient Portal which is a comprehensive information hub to empower stakeholders in formulating effective gender sensitive risk informed disaster management strategies. From land-use maps to disaggregated population and infrastructure distributions, the portal offers invaluable insights crucial for informed decision-making at the grassroots level. “The Risk Resilience Portal presents abundant opportunities, particularly for the public and emerging businesses seeking to establish themselves in various sectors and regions. By leveraging this portal, entrepreneurs can efficiently identify optimal locations for their ventures.” Hassan Abdul Sattar, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company, Capacity Building, Kulhudhuffushi, Haa Dhaal atoll, Jan 2024In addition, to ensure a sustainable approach and an effective and inclusive utilization of this data, tools and techniques, ESCAP launched a series of technical and non-technical training programs in 2023 and 2024. The technical training programs covered various topics from online sessions on introducing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and QGIS Software aiming to provide participants with a fundamental understanding of GIS concepts and practical skills in using QGIS software for geospatial analysis to subsequent hands-on trainings, held in Male', to delve deeper into climate models, projections, and their significance in conducting climate risk assessments for the Maldives. Moreover, the sessions aimed to fortify technical proficiency in utilizing QGIS for the creation and utilization of land use/land cover maps while seamlessly integrating climate risk data for informed land use planning. By equipping national and subnational stakeholders with the necessary tools and knowledge, ESCAP ensured that communities across the Maldives are better prepared to tackle the challenges posed by climate change.“The risk resilience portal with the data of the Maldives Can be extremely helpful in line of our work. It would allow us to know more about and to have more scientific backed information on areas that we need to focus on disaster preparedness and resilience as well as ecosystem restoration programs that we implement. So, this training is helpful that it provided us with hands on experience on using this portal for betterment.” Ibrahim Mohamed, Maldives Red Crescent, Capacity Building, Gan, Laamu Atoll, Jan2023At the same time, the non-technical capacity buildings that were held in various locations during the project implementation phase introduced the concepts of climate change and disaster risk reduction to the participants while training them on how to use the web-based tools in Risk and Resilient portal to access the data and decision-making. These data and tools are designed to enable the local councils, policy makers, researchers, and any other interested parties to bring the science into their decision-making process to ensure the sustainability and maximizing the benefits of their projects in long term.The final event in collaboration with Maldives National University aimed to provide the stakeholders in national and subnational level with a full summary of the project, created maps and risk analysis as well as the key findings such as projected risk profile of the Maldives in short term and medium term based on Business as usual (SSP2-4.5) and Worst-Case-Scenario (SSP3-7) scenarios while familiarizing them with the data and ESCAP's Risk and Resilient Portal. In addition, this event provided an opportunity for a series of in-depth discussions on various priorities to ensure a successful approach to translating the available data, information, and tools into effective policy and action. Furthermore, to ensure a sustainable and continuous approach moving forward, ESCAP has developed various guidebooks and manual to support stakeholders in their disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) efforts.In addition, a special capacity building of trainers from NDMA and MRC in March 2024 has enabled the local partners to carry on with the training at the local level. Translation of the portal into Dhivehi language is another step toward a more comprehensive and localized approach to Climate resilience.“Acquiring precise data for input and emphasizing the widespread accessibility of the portal is essential. It is also imperative to recognize that numerous individuals can utilize this information in diverse ways, given the flexibility to customize maps and conduct comparisons as needed. Furthermore, the translation of this platform into Dhivehi language is paramount. Not only does it enhance inclusivity, but it also ensures accessibility to a broader audience, thereby facilitating comprehension and engagement for stakeholders invested in leveraging this resource. “Hassan Abdul Sattar, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company, Capacity Building, Kulhudhuffushi, Haa Dhaal atoll, Jan 2024Through partnerships and grassroots empowerment, ESCAP and UNDP are fostering resilience and nurturing hope in the face of adversity. In the Maldives, a nation on the frontline of climate change, these efforts are more than just initiatives—they are lifelines, guiding communities towards a safer and more sustainable future.
Acknowledgement: We thank ESCAP, South and South-West Asia office for providing support to the UNRC Maldives in preparing this post.
Climate change poses significant socio-economic and cultural challenges for the Maldives, impacting all sectors of the economy. The communities in the islands heavily rely on agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, all of which are directly affected by shifting weather patterns and rising sea levels. After Male’, among the other atolls, the top five atolls with highest percentage of exposed population are Thaa (4%), Kaafu (4%), Alifu Dhaalu (2%), Shaviyani (1%) and Dhaalu atoll (1%). Moreover, 28% of the critical infrastructures such as health, education, water management and government buildings of the country are exposed to high rainfall and many of them are in flood prone areas with lower elevation.ESCAP study shows that, around 55% of population might be exposed to very high rainfall and related impacts by 2060 while around 85% of the female population is likely to be exposed to 1.4°C increase in average temperature by 2040 with worst-case scenario. In addition to such high level of exposure, due to various vulnerability factors such as their responsibilities in the household and toward domestic labor, climate change impacts are disproportionately impacting women.The Maldivian government has been continuously putting efforts to minimize gender parity in all aspects. In 2019 The Decentralization Act (No. 7/2010) was amended requiring that one-third of all local council seats be held by women, ensuring women’s participation in all levels of policy making and implementation. Since then, the participation of women in the local governance has significantly increased, but there is still a vast area for improvement and enhancing the participation of women in all levels of decision making.‘‘Women's leadership entails more than just representation; it demands resilience, innovation, and inclusive engagement. Amidst climate change and disaster risks, our voices and efforts hold significance, shaping a path towards a safer, more sustainable future for all’. Aminath Rishfa Ahmed, Councilor, Male City CouncilUnderstanding the severity of the situation, it’s vital to bring disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) into development planning and implementation at all levels. As a part of the SDG-funded project, ESCAP, in an effort to provide the climate change data, information, and decision-making tools for all, has developed a web-based decision support system for Maldives under the ESCAP Risk and Resilient Portal which is a comprehensive information hub to empower stakeholders in formulating effective gender sensitive risk informed disaster management strategies. From land-use maps to disaggregated population and infrastructure distributions, the portal offers invaluable insights crucial for informed decision-making at the grassroots level. “The Risk Resilience Portal presents abundant opportunities, particularly for the public and emerging businesses seeking to establish themselves in various sectors and regions. By leveraging this portal, entrepreneurs can efficiently identify optimal locations for their ventures.” Hassan Abdul Sattar, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company, Capacity Building, Kulhudhuffushi, Haa Dhaal atoll, Jan 2024In addition, to ensure a sustainable approach and an effective and inclusive utilization of this data, tools and techniques, ESCAP launched a series of technical and non-technical training programs in 2023 and 2024. The technical training programs covered various topics from online sessions on introducing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and QGIS Software aiming to provide participants with a fundamental understanding of GIS concepts and practical skills in using QGIS software for geospatial analysis to subsequent hands-on trainings, held in Male', to delve deeper into climate models, projections, and their significance in conducting climate risk assessments for the Maldives. Moreover, the sessions aimed to fortify technical proficiency in utilizing QGIS for the creation and utilization of land use/land cover maps while seamlessly integrating climate risk data for informed land use planning. By equipping national and subnational stakeholders with the necessary tools and knowledge, ESCAP ensured that communities across the Maldives are better prepared to tackle the challenges posed by climate change.“The risk resilience portal with the data of the Maldives Can be extremely helpful in line of our work. It would allow us to know more about and to have more scientific backed information on areas that we need to focus on disaster preparedness and resilience as well as ecosystem restoration programs that we implement. So, this training is helpful that it provided us with hands on experience on using this portal for betterment.” Ibrahim Mohamed, Maldives Red Crescent, Capacity Building, Gan, Laamu Atoll, Jan2023At the same time, the non-technical capacity buildings that were held in various locations during the project implementation phase introduced the concepts of climate change and disaster risk reduction to the participants while training them on how to use the web-based tools in Risk and Resilient portal to access the data and decision-making. These data and tools are designed to enable the local councils, policy makers, researchers, and any other interested parties to bring the science into their decision-making process to ensure the sustainability and maximizing the benefits of their projects in long term.The final event in collaboration with Maldives National University aimed to provide the stakeholders in national and subnational level with a full summary of the project, created maps and risk analysis as well as the key findings such as projected risk profile of the Maldives in short term and medium term based on Business as usual (SSP2-4.5) and Worst-Case-Scenario (SSP3-7) scenarios while familiarizing them with the data and ESCAP's Risk and Resilient Portal. In addition, this event provided an opportunity for a series of in-depth discussions on various priorities to ensure a successful approach to translating the available data, information, and tools into effective policy and action. Furthermore, to ensure a sustainable and continuous approach moving forward, ESCAP has developed various guidebooks and manual to support stakeholders in their disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) efforts.In addition, a special capacity building of trainers from NDMA and MRC in March 2024 has enabled the local partners to carry on with the training at the local level. Translation of the portal into Dhivehi language is another step toward a more comprehensive and localized approach to Climate resilience.“Acquiring precise data for input and emphasizing the widespread accessibility of the portal is essential. It is also imperative to recognize that numerous individuals can utilize this information in diverse ways, given the flexibility to customize maps and conduct comparisons as needed. Furthermore, the translation of this platform into Dhivehi language is paramount. Not only does it enhance inclusivity, but it also ensures accessibility to a broader audience, thereby facilitating comprehension and engagement for stakeholders invested in leveraging this resource. “Hassan Abdul Sattar, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company, Capacity Building, Kulhudhuffushi, Haa Dhaal atoll, Jan 2024Through partnerships and grassroots empowerment, ESCAP and UNDP are fostering resilience and nurturing hope in the face of adversity. In the Maldives, a nation on the frontline of climate change, these efforts are more than just initiatives—they are lifelines, guiding communities towards a safer and more sustainable future.
Acknowledgement: We thank ESCAP, South and South-West Asia office for providing support to the UNRC Maldives in preparing this post.
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Story
21 February 2024
Fueling the Isles: Driving Clean Energy Transition Across Multiple Sectors in the Maldives
The UN’s Global Roadmap sets out milestones the world must reach to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. To date, more than 70 countries now have net zero targets either enshrined in legislation or outlined as a goal in policy documents, illustrating the real investment and commitment to the energy transition. Maldives in fact revised its target, stating that the country can become net-zero as early as 2030 with international support. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and our Partners at Core such as Japan, are stepping in to help, spearheading initiatives aimed at promoting energy transition and fostering sustainability across diverse sectors beyond investing in power generation and renewable energy installations. UNDP recognizes that change needs to happen across all sectors and energy security and transition needs to be embedded into the core of every development sector. Through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions, our interventions are reshaping the Maldives' energy landscape, driving progress and resilience to achieve the climate goals of this Small Island Developing State. Making the Transport Sector a Decarbonization PriorityThe exponential growth of vehicles in capital Male', exacerbated by urbanization and population increase, has led to a surge in carbon emissions and poor air quality. To address the escalating emissions from the transport sector, UNDP’s collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation to promote energy transition, saw the installation of the capital’s first five charging stations for a solar-backed electric vehicle (EV) minibus route in the Greater Male’ Region. The charging stations backed by solar panels signify a paradigm shift in urban transportation, offering cleaner and greener alternatives to conventional vehicles, and marks a significant milestone in the Maldives' journey towards sustainable mobility. This is an initiative supported under UNDP’s Climate Promise, generously funded by the People and Government of Japan. With the introduction of electric minibuses powered by renewable energy, the initiative aims to mitigate environmental degradation while meeting the city's mobility needs. The mission is to tackle the climate crisis and create momentum to accelerate the transport sector’s contribution in achieving the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Our green mobility initiatives extend beyond the capital region directly to communities: the inauguration of the first community-built solar charging station on Raa Atoll Vaadhoo Island underscores the democratization of sustainable mobility. Taken together, we are transforming transportation by shifting towards a sector fueled by renewables, and powering communities to embrace greener surrounds and lifestyles. Harvesting Sustainability: Greener Agro SolutionsIn rural areas, UNDP's commitment to energy transition also extends to the agricultural sector, where solar-backed cold storage units are revolutionizing post-harvest practices. In Laamu Atoll, two solar-backed cold storage units, installed in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare and the AgroNational Corporation, generously supported by the Government and People of Japan, is empowering local farmers to preserve agricultural produce efficiently while adapting to climate-related uncertainties. This sustainable infrastructure not only enhances food security but also fosters economic resilience and climate resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions. Navigating to Smarter Marine TechnologiesBeyond land-based initiatives, UNDP's efforts extend to the marine transport sector, where the construction of the country's first fuel-efficient hybrid marine vessel heralds a new era of sustainable supply chains in the agriculture sector. Supported by the Government of Japan, with collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Agro National Corporation and technical expertise of Maldives Police Service, the Agri-boat initiative seeks to optimize transportation mechanisms, enabling timely delivery of agricultural produce from farms to markets across the Maldives – all on a significantly lower carbon footprint to conventional alternatives. Equipped with solar-powered cold storage units, the Agri-boat minimizes fuel consumption and carbon emissions, aligning with the Maldives' vision of a greener and more sustainable transport, food security and livelihoods options. Towards An Ecologically Sustainable Health SectorAt the core of Maldives development policy is low carbon growth, environmentally sustainable and resilient smart health-care services, and addressing factors affecting environmental health. To accelerate the transition towards sustainable transport, in the healthcare sector, the commitment of UNDP and the Ministry of Health - aided by the generous backing of the Government and People of Japan - to energy transition is evident in the procurement of electric vehicles for the transport of healthcare waste. By transitioning to electric-powered transportation solutions, the Maldives is not only reducing its carbon footprint but also promoting environmentally sustainable waste management practices, safeguarding public health and well-being.Together with our partners such as the Government of Maldives and Japan, UNDP's multifaceted approach to energy transition underscores our commitment to fostering sustainability and resilience across diverse sectors in the Maldives. Through strategic cross-sector partnerships, innovative solutions, and community engagement, we are driving transformative change, paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future for people and nature.
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Story
07 February 2024
Empowering Change: UN Maldives Launches SDG Learning Tool to Catalyze Sustainable Development through Civil Society Engagement
Male’, 24 August 2023: Against the backdrop of UN Secretary General António Guterres' cautionary words, "Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda will become an epitaph for a world that might have been," the UN Maldives formally launched a powerful tool aimed to foster collaboration and inclusivity at both local and national levels. This is a resounding call to action for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) acceleration through dissemination of how Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and grassroot movements can positively contribute to the landscape of sustainable development in the island nation.
At the heart of this initiative is the recognition of CSOs as key catalysts in advancing the SDGs and amplifying the voices of citizens within the national and local development agenda. The significance of fostering an inclusive and open society, highlighted by SDGs 16 and 17, underscores the imperative for collaboration among all stakeholders to realize the ambitious 2030 Agenda.
The centerpiece of this endeavor is the SDG learning tool, meticulously designed to equip CSOs with practical information and knowledge in support of the 2030 Agenda. Its objective is clear: empower CSOs to inspire individuals, communities, and corporations to collaboratively engage in safeguarding the environment and promoting societal well-being. This platform serves as a conduit for action through the dissemination of knowledge, providing a powerful resource to drive positive change.
During the tool's launch, H.E. Ms. Catherine Haswell, the UN Resident Coordinator to the Maldives, echoed the urgent global call to "mobilize and strengthen leadership and political will to rally together to keep the vision of the SDGs a reality." Emphasizing the unique leadership role of civil society in advancing progress, Ms. Haswell stressed the need for active involvement from all stakeholders, advocating for a holistic vision that encompasses governments, the private sector, academia, the UN system, and the general populace.
The ceremony's Chief Guest, Sabra Ibrahim Noordeen, Special Envoy for Climate Change at the President's Office, highlighted the interconnectedness of the SDGs and the spillover effect. She underscored the importance of a robust relationship between civil society and the government, emphasizing that sustainable development requires a collaborative effort for communities to 'live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives.' Ms. Noordeen also acknowledged the historical role of civil society in advocating for environmental conservation, gender equality, public health, fundraising for equitable access, and the promotion of arts and culture.
Funded through the Multi-Partner Trust Fund under the leadership of UN Resident Coordinators globally, the SDG learning tool was crafted and hosted by FJS Consulting. Key collaborators facilitated content customization, ensuring the tool's availability in both English and Dhivehi languages.
Designed primarily for individuals and organizations in the civil society sector, the course offers comprehensive content on sustainable development challenges in the Maldivian context, introducing each of the 17 SDGs and their targets. It provides insights into the current understanding of the SDGs and their status in the Maldives, presenting inspiring initiatives to accelerate SDG achievement by 2030.
Ms. Nashiya Saeed, a UN consultant, provided a presentation on the SDG status and the role of NGOs, drawing insights from the recent Maldives Second Voluntary National Review (VNR) submitted to the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF). This prompted a robust Q&A session among participants discussing the role of CSOs in policy formulations and the significance of networking and partnerships.
As we approach the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda, the active and participatory role of a resilient civil society becomes paramount. Civil society's unique connection with communities directly impacted by the SDGs presents opportunities for meaningful collaboration with governments in public service delivery. Similarly, forging partnerships among CSOs, local communities, the private sector, and international bodies is essential to facilitate SDG implementation and monitor related activities.
Thus, as we navigate the 2030 Agenda's midpoint, a robust and active civil society remains indispensable in propelling action, fostering cooperation, and urgently implementing SDGs while ensuring inclusivity for all. The launch of the SDG learning tool marks a significant stride towards a more sustainable and inclusive future for the Maldives, fueled by the collective efforts of Civil Society Organizations and their partners.
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Story
22 August 2023
How Early Warnings For All Helps To Reduce The Vulnerability of Maldives
MALDIVES is a low-lying island nation comprised of estimated 1,192 islands separated in 26 natural atolls, of which 187 islands are inhabited, spread across 90,000 square kilometers in the Indian Ocean. The country and its people face every day the constant risk of climate change due to its unique geography. Maldives enjoys a warm and humid tropical monsoon climate with an annual mean temperature of 28°C. The islands experience little variation in temperatures throughout the year, with two distinct seasons. The southwest monsoon (wet season) normally extends from mid-May to November. The northeast monsoon (dry season) extends from January to March. The months of December and April are considered the monsoon transitional periods.Among many other environmental risks, the Maldives is vulnerable to growing loss and damage and more frequent and severe storm surges, heatwaves, and extreme weather hazards, with sea level rise a constant threat. Maldives experiences frequent seasonal events with low intensity but high frequency, including monsoonal flooding, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and flooding caused by intense sea surges due to rising sea levels. Given that 75% of the Maldives’ land area is situated less than one meter above the average sea level, even a slight increase in sea level poses an exceptionally significant threat. Climate change can exacerbate these weather events, and Maldives is already experiencing stronger storm surges, increased wind speeds, and heavier rainfall, resulting in flooding, property damage, and loss of lives. Global warming that accelerates rising sea levels can lead to coastal erosion, inundation of low-lying areas, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources, impacting agriculture, infrastructure, and human settlements. Of the already limited land for agriculture, an estimated 13% of this is located below 1 meter (above mean sea level) and under threat of impacts related to sea level rise.Small islands and atolls often have limited land area and concentrated populations, making them more susceptible to climate-driven impacts. The availability of arable land, freshwater resources, and suitable sites for infrastructure development are scarce, and with climate change exacerbating these challenges, and with an already narrow buffer within which to navigate, adaptation options are few and far between.Maldives’ dependence on tourism and fisheries means that the nation has a narrow economic base. Fisheries itself remains one of the biggest sources of employment, and ‘fish and fish products’ account for almost 98% of Maldives exports. Climate change impacts such as coral reef degradation, loss of biodiversity, and extreme weather events can disrupt these industries, leading to economic losses, unemployment, and reduced livelihood options for local communities.The capital city Malé, where one-third of the country’s population resides, is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. This concentration of people, infrastructure, and economic activities in limited space exacerbates the vulnerability to climate change impacts. UN-ESCAP estimated that up to 53 per cent of population is likely to be exposed to intensified risk of rainwater related flooding by 2060, under a climate change scenario; the at-risk population are concentrated in the capital city. Displacement and relocation of communities due to sea-level rise or extreme weather events becomes more challenging when there are limited alternative areas for resettlement, especially since other islands and atolls pose the same geographical vulnerability with even less established infrastructure to accommodate climate-related displacements.In 2023, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, announced Early Warnings for All (EW4All) as a call to action to ensure every person on Earth is protected by multi-hazard early warning systems by 2027. On 4 July, a national consultation and launch of Early Warnings for All (EW4All) was convened in the Maldives, and hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, in cooperation with the United Nations Country Team in the Maldives, led by the UN Resident Coordinator with support from UNDRR and WMO as global co-leads for EW4All.The EW4All national consultation and launch was presided by H.E. Ms. Aminath Shauna, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology (MoECCT), and co-chaired by Ms. Khadeeja Naseem, State Minister and the UN Resident Coordinator, Catherine Haswell. Other national leads of the four EW4ALL Pillars included: Mr. Mohamed Shareef, State Minister, National Centre for Information Technology (NCIT); Mr. Hisan Hassan, Chief Executive, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA); Mr. Abdulla Wahid, Director General of the Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS); and Ms. Fathimath Himya, Secretary General of the Maldives Red Crescent (MRC).Figure 1. Sea level anomaly under baseline and climate change scenario for Maldives (left) and Agricultural areas in Maldives exposed to 1 m sea level rise under climate change scenario (Right) Building on the existing regulation and operationalization of EWS in the Maldives, the Government of Maldives, with the support of the UN under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator for the Maldives, has quickly convened technical expertise from the four pillar leads in the region, in order to boost political momentum for and achievement of the EW4All Action Plan by 2027. It builds on the decades of efforts in the disaster risk reduction and management space by the UNDP and UNDRR, with additional expertise provided by UNESCAP, UNEP and GEO. THE FOUR PILLARS OF EW4ALL ARE LED AS FOLLOWSPILLAR 1: DISASTER RISK KNOWLEDGE (National Disaster Management Authority, with support from UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction )PILLAR 2: OBSERVATIONS AND FORECASTING (Maldives Meteorological Service, with support from World Meteorological Organization )PILLAR 3: WARNING DISSEMINATION AND COMMUNICATION (National Centre for Information Technology, with support from the International Telecommunications Union)PILLAR 4: PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE (Maldives Red Crescent, with support from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Crescent Societies)Women’s rates of literacy can be lower than men’s, especially among the elderly. Consequently, women are often unaware of information regarding vision loss, or other eye health conditions and can be less likely to know about the possibility of treatment or where to go to receive it. Research conducted in South India suggests literacy levels among individuals with a vision impairment are predictors of receiving cataract surgery. Lack of education can also lead women to believe that they have been cursed with blindness or that they simply have bad luck. When they feel they lack agency or control in their daily life and health-seeking, women often de-prioritise their own eye health.In the first national consultation of EW4ALL in the Asia Pacific region, and the first SIDS globally, the UN Resident Coordinator to the Maldives recalled the fundamental role of multi-hazard early warning systems in reducing loss of lives and livelihoods of Maldivians across the 187 local islands, and as host to foreigners in 170 resort islands. Ms. Haswell noted the significant progress made in the country, and the determination of the respective Pillar leads to collaborate in reaching every person in the Maldives before the end of 2027.H.E Aminath Shauna, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology highlighted early warning as a key piece for adaptation strategy:“Maldives is the first Asian country and first SIDS to initiate the UN Secretary General’s Early Warnings For All program. As one of the most vulnerable countries to the climate crisis, it is critical that we build our national capacity in early warning and preparedness, and this is a key piece of our adaptation strategy. Early warning systems are cost-effective, saving lives, reducing economic losses, and providing a nearly tenfold return on investment. Our islands are numerous, as are our needs, but we are hopeful that through this program, we can drive the support and action needed to ensure every Maldivian is covered by multi-hazard early warning systems.” As a call to scale up national action, EW4All can play a crucial role in accelerating investment to address the vulnerability of the Maldives to climate change by improving early warning systems and enhancing resilience by:Improved risk data collection and monitoring: Promoting open access and sharing of data and analyses on hazards, exposure and vulnerabilities to climate-related risks, and enhancing meteorological and hydrological monitoring systems in the Maldives. This includes installing weather stations, tide gauges, and river flow sensors to collect essential data on climate parameters. Accurate and timely data is crucial for detecting and predicting climate-related hazards and issuing early warnings to the most-at-risk can take early and anticipatory action.Technological advancements: Facilitating the adoption and implementation of advanced technologies, such as remote sensing, satellite imagery, and modelling tools. These technologies can improve the accuracy and lead time of early warnings by providing real-time data, mapping hazard patterns, and predicting the intensity and trajectory of climate-related events.Strengthening communication infrastructure: Supporting the development and enhancement of communication infrastructure in Maldives, including radio networks, mobile networks, and internet connectivity. Reliable communication channels are essential for disseminating early warning messages to communities, ensuring that the information reaches the most vulnerable populations in a timely manner.Public awareness, education and enhanced preparedness and responses: Expanding public awareness campaigns and educational programs to educate the population of Maldives about climate change risks, the importance of early warnings, and appropriate response actions. Increased awareness and knowledge will enable individuals and communities’ preparedness and response plans.Capacity building and training: Delivering demand-driven technical assistance and capacity-building programs to strengthen the skills and knowledge of government agencies, meteorological departments, disaster management organizations, and local communities. This includes training in risk assessment, loss and damage accounting, data analysis, hazard assessment, impact-based forecasting, early warning dissemination, and response planning. Building local capacity ensures effective management and sustainability of early warning systems.EW4All underscores the importance of scaling up collaboration and knowledge sharing among different stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, research institutions, and local communities. Sharing best practices, lessons learned, and experiences from other countries facing similar challenges can help Maldives strengthen its early warning systems and adopt innovative approaches. BUILDING ON GAPS AND NEEDS IDENTIFIED IN DAY 1, The second day of the consultation focused on concretising the national priorities that could be addressed under a new Green Climate Fund (GCF) proposal.Prior to the launch of EW4All, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has been supporting the Maldives to develop a GCF concept note “Toward Risk-Aware and Climate-resilienT communities (TRACT) – Strengthening climate services and impact-based multi-hazard early warning in Maldives”.With the recent go-ahead from the GCF Climate Investment Committee to develop the concept into a full proposal, the timing is opportune to ensure that the TRACT project provides a tangible means to translate the talk into action.The TRACT project will ensure holistic, whole-value-chain approach to establishing a people-centred, impact-based multi-hazard early warning system in Maldives. It will concurrently address capacity development needs across the four pillars of EW4All, which is essential to overcome the ‘last mile’ barriers that impede the full use and benefit of early warning systems (EWS).Maldives is also in the first batch of Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) programming countries, with UNEP as its Implementing Entity. The SOFF is a key delivery mechanism of the EW4All initiative, providing technical and financial assistance to close gaps in essential weather and climate observations. The proposed TRACT project will leverage SOFF investments to reinforce capacity development efforts across the entire EWS value chain.Maldives is also benefitting from support from the ESCAP Trust Fund for Tsunami Disaster and Climate Preparedness, in particular through support from the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES).For more information please contact:UN Resident Coordinator’s Office – Ms. Huda Adam (huda.adam@un.org)UNDRR – Mr. Andrew Spezowka (andrew.spezowka@un.org)WMO – Muhibuddin Usamah (musamah@wmo.int)UNEP – Mr. Jochem Zoetelief (jochem.zoetelief@un.org)ESCAP – Ms. Temily Isabella Baker (temily.baker@un.org) ENDNOTEShttps://www.meteorology.gov.mv/climatehttps://www.cfe-dmha.org/Publications/Disaster-Management-Reference-Handbooks
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Story
14 May 2023
Fostering the Power of Young Maldivians
A recent survey supported by USAID showed that 94% of them believe young people should be more involved in political decision-making, and only 47% thought that their local councils engaged with the community effectively.
While strengthening academic and employment opportunities and the inclusion of young people in decision making has been highlighted as a priority for the Government, donors and civil society, the tangible impacts of the policies are slow to be felt by young people, with 28% of youth aged 15 – 35 being out of employment, education or training.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Maldives, Catherine Haswell, heard similar concerns during her visits last year to twenty of the 182 local islands that make up the archipelagic country in the Indian Ocean. That inspired Ms. Haswell to lead the design of the UN Maldives Youth Strategy, which places young people at the heart of the UN’s development efforts. “I was meeting plenty of enthusiastic people, who wanted to become engaged in UN’s efforts, while noticing that in our daily work, most of our conversations were with Government ministries and traditional partners. I decided to reach out directly to young people through social media, to find young people in their own spaces. From here, the UN Maldives Youth Strategy was born,” said Ms. Haswell.
“We need young voices to be heard – and policies and decisions that give practical opportunities for meaningful work, education opportunities. The UN has a unique role to play here to help get sensitive issues on the table of decision makers, with the unique policy advice that UN agencies provide to Government”, she added regarding the Youth Strategy. Also stemming from the visits and showcasing its convening power, the UN in Maldives helped a group of local young volunteers organise a community event with over 200 people last year, providing logistical support and staff. The Kandu Faaraverin (“Ocean Guardians”) Games included challenges to surmount across the greater capital area, to highlight the impact of human actions on the oceans. This initiative started a movement of young people which continues to gain momentum and plan new activities. Because there are limited opportunities for young people to mobilise, and with credibility to ask for partnerships and resources, the Resident Coordinator Office and the UN country team were instrumental in making it happen, creating a space for youth engagement. And this was not the only one. The UN in Maldives also convened people in the islands around a youth meeting space named Zuvaanunge Holhuashi, to discuss issues facing the community. Mental health, access to justice, healthy relationships, and employment were some of the challenges the young participants highlighted. “With this initiative, young people have more opportunities to give their opinions and views in decision making process, governance of the nation, and how policies are formulated as well. Getting the youth’s contribution and involvement in developing and executing high impact projects and policies are important for the development of the Maldives,” said 25-year-old Moosa Meekail Ahmed Jaleel. The youth meeting space will be carried forward to other islands, and across the country, this year. The Resident Coordinator’s leadership has established the framework for the UN Maldives’ team to share its powerful platform with young people in leadership, public engagement, and decision making for their future. “Young Maldivians are burning with creative ideas on how to do things better. We don’t need to teach them or empower them. We just need to give them the spotlight and listen to the leaders of the future,” said Ms. Haswell.
While strengthening academic and employment opportunities and the inclusion of young people in decision making has been highlighted as a priority for the Government, donors and civil society, the tangible impacts of the policies are slow to be felt by young people, with 28% of youth aged 15 – 35 being out of employment, education or training.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Maldives, Catherine Haswell, heard similar concerns during her visits last year to twenty of the 182 local islands that make up the archipelagic country in the Indian Ocean. That inspired Ms. Haswell to lead the design of the UN Maldives Youth Strategy, which places young people at the heart of the UN’s development efforts. “I was meeting plenty of enthusiastic people, who wanted to become engaged in UN’s efforts, while noticing that in our daily work, most of our conversations were with Government ministries and traditional partners. I decided to reach out directly to young people through social media, to find young people in their own spaces. From here, the UN Maldives Youth Strategy was born,” said Ms. Haswell.
“We need young voices to be heard – and policies and decisions that give practical opportunities for meaningful work, education opportunities. The UN has a unique role to play here to help get sensitive issues on the table of decision makers, with the unique policy advice that UN agencies provide to Government”, she added regarding the Youth Strategy. Also stemming from the visits and showcasing its convening power, the UN in Maldives helped a group of local young volunteers organise a community event with over 200 people last year, providing logistical support and staff. The Kandu Faaraverin (“Ocean Guardians”) Games included challenges to surmount across the greater capital area, to highlight the impact of human actions on the oceans. This initiative started a movement of young people which continues to gain momentum and plan new activities. Because there are limited opportunities for young people to mobilise, and with credibility to ask for partnerships and resources, the Resident Coordinator Office and the UN country team were instrumental in making it happen, creating a space for youth engagement. And this was not the only one. The UN in Maldives also convened people in the islands around a youth meeting space named Zuvaanunge Holhuashi, to discuss issues facing the community. Mental health, access to justice, healthy relationships, and employment were some of the challenges the young participants highlighted. “With this initiative, young people have more opportunities to give their opinions and views in decision making process, governance of the nation, and how policies are formulated as well. Getting the youth’s contribution and involvement in developing and executing high impact projects and policies are important for the development of the Maldives,” said 25-year-old Moosa Meekail Ahmed Jaleel. The youth meeting space will be carried forward to other islands, and across the country, this year. The Resident Coordinator’s leadership has established the framework for the UN Maldives’ team to share its powerful platform with young people in leadership, public engagement, and decision making for their future. “Young Maldivians are burning with creative ideas on how to do things better. We don’t need to teach them or empower them. We just need to give them the spotlight and listen to the leaders of the future,” said Ms. Haswell.
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Press Release
25 April 2024
UN Expert: Maldives Stuck Between Rock and Hard Place on Climate Change Issue
The beach where I used to play, collect shells and watch sunsets no longer exists. Naff Asim, Maldivian marine biologist and youth climate activist1 Introduction Today, I conclude my ten-day visit to Maldives. Scattered like sparkling jewels across a vast swath of the Indian Ocean, the islands of Maldives are a tropical paradise. Yet Maldives faces a potentially dystopian future because of the climate emergency caused by wealthy nations and wealthy individuals. With the highest point of land only 2.5 meters above sea level, scientific projections indicate that Maldives could disappear completely beneath the ocean at some point in the future due to sea level rise. Long before that ultimate catastrophe, Maldives could become virtually uninhabitable due to the combined impacts of sea level rise, floods, coastal erosion, increased frequency of extreme weather events (e.g., cyclones, thunderstorms, storm surges, and strong winds), severe heat, intense and unpredictable rainfall patterns, extended dry seasons, saltwater contamination of freshwater and agricultural lands, increased sea surface temperatures, vector borne diseases, ocean acidification, and coral bleaching. These devastating present and future impacts of the climate emergency on the Maldives and other small island states are described in detail in the most recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.2 Atoll nations, including Maldives, are among the most vulnerable places on Earth because of their low elevation, small land area, 360°-exposure to waves, limited fresh water supplies, fragile ecosystems, high population densities and limited technical, financial and human resources. Sea level rise is accelerating, with dire consequences.3 As a rule of thumb, every 10 cm of sea level rise triples the frequency of coastal flooding and leads to a 10-meter retreat of unprotected coastlines.4 By the end of this century, Maldives could be experiencing one-in-100-year coastal floods annually and infrastructure within 100 meters of the coast would be extremely vulnerable to inundation and damage. Maldives consists of 26 natural atolls comprising approximately 1,190 islands, which are grouped into 20 administrative units. Although often described as a Small Island State, Maldives could also be considered a Big Ocean State, as 99 percent of its total territory is marine, while only 1 percent is land (approximately 300 square kilometres). The population of 515,000 (2022 census) is spread over 188 inhabited islands, with additional islands dedicated to tourist resorts. Malé, the capital, is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The first resort island opened in 1972, and today tourism dominates the economy (30% of gross domestic product). The plight of Maldives illustrates the unique nature of the human rights conundrum posed by the climate emergency: the people of the Maldives have made a negligible contribution to causing the problem (0.0003 percent of global emissions) but are being subjected to a disproportionate share of the impacts. The dire warning of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change resonates with particular power in Maldives: “There is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a livable and sustainable future for all … The choices and actions implemented in this decade will have impacts now and for thousands of years.”5 In some ways, the Maldives epitomizes a global economy based on the exploitation of people and nature. A burgeoning number of islands are being privatized, offering high end luxury resorts for wealthy foreigners at thousands of dollars per night, while nearly a third of the population of Maldives are migrant 2 workers, many of whom live and work in poor conditions, earning minimal wages. Foreign investors reap large profits while local communities suffer the loss of ecosystems that sustain them. Many airports are being built, even on islands with convenient speedboat access to other airports, yet air travel is the most carbon-intensive mode of transport. During my visit to Maldives, I spent time in the capital, Malé, and traveled to a number of other islands and atolls including Hulhumalé, Thilafushi and Villingili (Kaafu Atoll), Kulhudhuffushi (Haa Dhaalu Atoll) and Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, and Feydhoo (Addu Atoll). I met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, the Special Envoy for Climate Change from the President’s Office, officials with the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development, the Attorney General’s Office, Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO), the National Disaster Management Authority and the National Human Rights Commission, justices of the Supreme Court, the Maldivian Red Crescent, marine biologists, youth, and members of civil society. My role as the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment is to promote the implementation of States’ obligations relating to the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. This fundamental human right, successfully championed by Maldives at the UN Human Rights Council (A/HRC/RES/48/13) and the UN General Assembly (A/RES/76/300), includes clean air, safe and sufficient water, healthy and sustainably produced food, non-toxic environments, healthy biodiversity and ecosystems and a safe climate. It also includes rights of access to environmental information, public participation in environmental decision-making, and access to justice with adequate remedies. My visit focused on the challenges Maldives must confront to successfully respect, protect and fulfil this right, the steps taken so far, the future actions being planned, and the barriers to progress. International Legal Context As other special procedures mandate holders have observed on previous visits, Maldives has ratified eight out of the nine core international human rights treaties, along with five optional protocols. I encourage Maldives to ratify the International Convention on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families. Maldives is also a State Party to all of the major international climate and environmental agreements, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, the UN Convention on Biodiversity and more. I encourage the Maldives to push for a human rights-based approach in the ongoing negotiations towards a global plastics treaty, a pandemic prevention, preparedness and response treaty, and a business and human rights treaty. National Legal Context The Constitution of Maldives recognizes that every citizen has the right to a “healthy and ecologically balanced environment” (Article 23).6 However, from a human rights perspective, this right should be enjoyed by everyone and not limited to citizens.7 This appears to be the only constitution in the world to treat this fundamental human right in such a restrictive manner. This constitutional flaw takes on additional importance in Maldives because of the immense number of migrant workers (estimated at 150,000), some of whom are living or working in unsafe and unhealthy environments. The main environmental law in the Maldives is the outdated Environment Protection and Preservation Act from 1993. Environmental laws and policies in Maldives are evolving, with a number of recent laws (e.g. Climate Emergency Act 2021, Waste Management Act, 2022) and bills not yet enacted (e.g. Environmental Protection and Conservation Act). Vital reforms to fossil fuel subsidies have been developed but not implemented. As noted in the Sustainable Development Goals Roadmap, Maldives needs to “Strengthen the institutional capacity for environmental management, including monitoring, assessment and enforcement capacity”.8 The Climate Emergency As described earlier, Maldives is acutely vulnerable to the climate crisis, which is also a human rights crisis. The climate emergency is interfering with the enjoyment of a wide range of human rights, including the rights to life, health, food, water, housing, an adequate standard of living and a healthy environment, as well as cultural rights and the rights of the child. Potentially vulnerable and marginalized populations— women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities and persons living in poverty, whose adaptive capacity may be limited by lack of resources—are suffering disproportionate impacts. According to research published in 2023, “The health risks associated with climate change in the Maldives are vast, and they include heat-related illness, water-borne diseases, food and water shortages due to flooding, mental illnesses, and an increase in the incidence of vector-borne diseases” including dengue fever.9 Researchers described these problems as “a matter of urgent concern”.10 In addition, a five percent increase in both stillbirths and pre-term births results from every one degree increase in temperature. 11 Like all States, Maldives has both adaptation and mitigation obligations pursuant to international human rights law. To its credit, Maldives is one of the first countries to establish a road map following the call from the United Nations Secretary General on Early Warnings for All. This important initiative is intended to ensure that every person on earth is protected from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through lifesaving early warning systems by the end of 2027. The Climate Emergency Act (2021) is an important law, with one of its objectives being “to provide a mechanism to protect human rights from detrimental climate changes.” At COP 28 in Dubai, the Maldives announced its intention to plant five million trees in five years. Land reclamation is a major element of Maldivian adaptation efforts and is discussed in detail below. In its updated Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, Maldives committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 26 percent by 2030. Maldives also established a goal of becoming carbon neutral (or net zero carbon) by 2030 in its Nationally Determined Contribution. Although admirable in theory, these goals are unlikely to be met unless there is a rapid acceleration in the shift to renewable energy. Today’s electricity and transport systems in the Maldives are heavily dependent on fossil fuels. For example, currently less than ten percent of electricity is generated via solar photovoltaic panels. Maldives' heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels for generating electricity and fueling transport is expensive, contributes to air pollution, undermines the nation’s international reputation as a leading voice for climate justice, and poses a massive obstacle to achieving carbon neutrality. In 2022, Maldives imported more than 800,000 tonnes of fuel.12 The three major categories of fuel imported are diesel for electricity generation, petrol for vehicles, and cooking gas.13 In recent years, fossil fuel subsidies for electricity and petrol have cost the Government hundreds of millions of dollars annually.14 The Asian Development Bank published a damning indictment of this problem, identifying barriers to the clean energy transition that include a weak policy and regulatory environment, limited development of local energy sources, absence of energy planning, inefficient energy use, and lack of long-term energy planning.15 According to the Asian Development Bank, diesel electricity generating costs range between 0.30–70 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), approximately three to seven times higher than recent costs of producing solar electricity in Maldives.16 The rapidly declining cost of renewable energy provides a huge opportunity for Maldives. In 2022, 63 investors expressed interest in a major solar project in Maldives, and a record low price of 9.8 US cents was received.17 In the words of the World Bank, “moving from a fossil-based to a renewable-based energy model is the best way to make electricity cheaper for everyone, reduce the fiscal risks and protect this island paradise.”18 Installed solar electricity generating capacity in Maldives jumped from 4 megawatts in 2014 to 37 megawatts in 2023, which is a good start but needs to accelerate.19 Barbados, another small island state 4 with limited land area that is a global champion for climate justice, jumped from 1 megawatt in 2014 to 70 megawatts in 2023, nearly double Maldives.20 I applaud the Government’s target to attain 33 percent of electricity production through renewable energy by 2028 and a proposed rooftop solar program, but note that these initiatives require addressing the preceding obstacles, and doing so quickly. Fossil fuel subsidies should be redirected to support renewable electricity and electric mobility. Excellent solar and storage initiatives are underway, funded largely by international financial institutions including the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Projects include Accelerating Sustainable Private Investment in Renewable Energy (ASPIRE) and Accelerating Renewable Energy Integration and Sustainable Energy (ARISE), which are expected to install more than 53.5 megawatts of solar capacity and 50 megawatt-hours of battery storage. Preparing Outer Island for Sustainable Energy Development (POISED) is designed to install solar hybrid systems in 160 islands across Maldives. Maldives must leave no stone unturned in the quest for climate finance. Wealthy States have moral and legal obligations to increase the availability of funding, including through far larger contributions to the recently established Loss and Damage Fund. I recommend that the Government reach out to the Just Energy Transition Partnership for financing to dramatically accelerate the switch to renewable energy. This partnership, led by the EU, Canada, and the United States, has already pledged more than $40 billion in capital to States including Indonesia, South Africa, Vietnam and Senegal.21 To date it does not appear that any small island states have been beneficiaries. Maldives has a compelling case to be the first. Other attractive options are debt for renewables or debt for climate swaps, where creditors reduce debt obligations in exchange for commitments to invest in specified climate actions.22 I was impressed by the electric transport system on Villingili, involving buses, electric motorcycles and electric bicycles. Electric buses operated by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company employ solar powered charging stations, contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner air, less noise and a greener, cleaner, healthier island. This concept should be expanded to other islands, including Malé and Ras Malé, through subsidies for electric bikes, motorbikes and vehicles. 23 Land Reclamation The most controversial environment and human rights related topic in Maldives involves land reclamation. This process of dredging sand to expand existing islands or create new islands has accelerated in recent years, with the introduction of the Safe Island development programme after the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Associated activities, including channel blasting, harbor developments, and construction of jetties and breakwaters, also pose significant threats to the marine and coastal environment. Nearly twothirds of inhabited islands in Maldives have undergone substantial changes through land reclamation since 2006.24 The Government’s rationales include social, economic and environmental arguments. Additional land is needed for housing, infrastructure and industry. Land reclamation is also depicted as a means of adapting to climate change, particularly to the threat of rising sea levels. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that land reclamation is potentially effective in reducing the risks from sea level rise.25 Opponents of land reclamation assert that the process is damaging, and in some cases, destroying coral reefs and lagoons, ecosystems that are not only environmentally sensitive and valuable but also the basis of local peoples’ livelihoods and cultures. They also argue that the main beneficiaries are often foreign businesses and the economic and political elite of the Maldives. Although individual environmental impact assessments are conducted for land reclamation projects, there does not appear to be an assessment of the cumulative risk to biodiversity, the health of reef ecosystems, local livelihoods and human rights across the Maldives despite the escalating pace and magnitude of development. There is extensive scientific evidence to support the position that land reclamation causes significant environmental damage.26 In the words of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, “Land reclamation and coastal protection structures negatively impact coastal and marine ecosystems, including reefs and mangroves, which compromise the protection services that they deliver to island communities through wave energy attenuation and sediment supply and may impact the long-term sustainable adaptive planning of islands. In addition, these construction activities disrupt natural coastal processes, thereby causing coastal erosion, which in turn increases the risk of flooding”.27 The IPCC concluded that reclamation causes “widespread ecosystem destruction”.28 The Maldives appears to be stuck between a rock and a hard place. It is untenable to do nothing to protect these extraordinarily vulnerable islands from the existential threat of rising sea levels. Yet reclamation projects are problematic because they damage nature’s defense mechanisms, jeopardize marine biodiversity, and sabotage the ecosystems that attract millions of tourists annually. Land reclamation projects for climate adaptation should be distinguished from projects done for luxury tourism. If land reclamation for the former could be done in a genuinely sustainable manner, with the full participation and support of local communities, it could be a valuable means of building resilience and adapting to the inevitable impacts of the climate emergency. This is true not only for Maldives and other atoll nations, but for many small island states and vulnerable, low lying coastal communities. Water Fulfilling the right to safe and sufficient water has been a major challenge for Maldives. As of 2019, 78 percent of the population had access to piped water in their homes, while 86 percent had access to sewage networks.29 Groundwater is found on some islands, but is limited in quantity and often contaminated by human waste and saltwater intrusion. Some households collect rainwater, but maintenance of the systems is uneven (e.g. cleaning roofs, cleaning tanks), and made more difficult by erratic and unpredictable precipitation patterns attributed to the climate crisis. Some islands also have communal water tanks. During the dry season, the Government delivers water by tanker to approximately 80 islands. However, this is expensive, polluting (due to fuel use), and can be delayed or canceled by bad weather and stormy seas, leaving people without an adequate water supply. This approach should be replaced by more sustainable solutions, including increased attention to protecting and recharging groundwater. Water in Maldives is increasingly provided by desalination plants. If powered by renewable energy, this is a reasonably sustainable solution. A recent $25 million project carried out by the Government with support from the UN Development Programme and the Green Climate Fund improved access to safe drinking water for 20,000 people on 29 islands, improved resilience of groundwater quality for 49 islands, supported development of the Water and Sewerage Act, and will save millions of dollars in the future by reducing costs of delivering water during dry seasons. A recent collaboration between China and Maldives built five desalination plants powered by solar and wind systems for a total cost of $13 million. 30 Each plant has the capacity to produce 200,000 liters of water daily. Non-toxic environments where people can live, work, learn and play Waste management Maldives has serious waste management problems, including open burning, dumping of waste, and microplastic contamination. Litter is ubiquitous, cluttering streets, beaches, the ocean, and the roots of trees. The rare public trash receptacles are overflowing with garbage. With a growing population, increasing wealth, and rapidly rising numbers of tourists, garbage production has skyrocketed. The volume of waste generated per capita has jumped roughly 60% in recent years. 31 Hundreds of tonnes of trash from the Greater Malé region and tourism islands are transported to an immense dump on Thilafushi Island. Burning of waste on Thilafushi is no longer permitted but continues on more 6 remote islands, producing carcinogenic smoke and depositing toxic substances in soil and water, threatening both human and ecosystem health.32 According to scientists, “these findings highlight the need for immediate changes in waste management policies in the Archipelago, in order to reduce the release of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the fragile local environment.”33 The first waste management law was enacted in 2022 and actions are underway to address the problem, including planned separation of waste streams, closed containers for waste transfer between islands, a 13 megawatt waste to energy incinerator, and a biodigester for organic waste. A last-minute amendment to the Waste Management Act allows waste to be imported. Given the garbage challenges facing Maldives, this provision should be repealed.34 Waste management centres have been established on 79 islands and are promised for 100 more, but are generally not fenced, not coordinated, and are not separating waste streams (recyclable, compostable, residue). Many sewage and waste water systems in the Maldives are rudimentary, consisting of simple collection systems with little treatment. Raw sewage effluent and solids are discharged through pipes into the ocean, threatening lagoons, beaches and reefs. 35 Researchers found “one of the highest densities of microplastics found anywhere on the planet” in coastal waters adjacent to Maldivian islands.36 Maldives, somewhat surprisingly, ranks among the world’s worst plastic polluters on a per capita basis.37 Plastic water bottles and other forms of plastic trash are visible on streets, beaches and floating in the sea because of the inadequate solid waste management system, discharges of sewage and wastewater, the lack of environmentally responsible behaviour, and transport by currents from neighbouring countries in the Indian Ocean. Plastic pollution is not only ugly but threatens human health, wildlife and ecosystems. Maldives recently introduced a ban on certain types of single use plastics.38 The production, import and use of the following single-use plastic items were banned: drinking straws, plates, cutlery and stirrers, plastic shopping bags below 30 × 30 cm, styrofoam food containers, drinking cups of less than 250 mL, cotton buds with plastic stems and shampoo, soap, conditioner and lotion bottles that are less than 50 mL. This is a good initiative, but must be implemented and enforced to be effective. It should be noted that waste incineration can cause additional problems including toxic air pollution and toxic residue. Strong environmental standards based on the best available science need to be established before the Thilafushi incinerator begin to operate. Smaller incinerators on other islands should also be governed by strong environmental standards and must be sited away from local communities and ecologically sensitive areas. A bright spot in waste management is the “Green Climate Smart Hospital Policy and Strategy” that is addressing medical waste. Also important is a project supported by the Global Environment Facility that achieved the safeguarding of up to 30 tonnes of PCB- contaminated transformers and switchgears in a temporary storage and progressed with arrangements for packaging, shipment, and final disposal of the PCB waste at a certified destruction facility abroad. The Maldives is encouraged to develop extended producer responsibility programs to shift the operational and financial burden of waste management to the businesses responsible for creating and importing the materials that become waste.39 For example, one of the most commonly littered items are drink containers. These should be subject to an industry financed and operated deposit/refund system. Maldives needs to invest in public education on proper waste management (e.g. ending open burning, dealing with food waste, segregating waste) and strictly enforce rules against littering. The recent crackdown on littering in Malé prior to Ramadan was an encouraging initiative, with 100 people fined.40 Air pollution Despite the remoteness of the Maldives and the small population, air pollution is a significant health concern. Annual average levels of fine particulate (PM2.5) in Malé are four times higher (19 μg/m3) than the level recommended by the World Health Organization (5 μg/m3). In other parts of Maldives, levels are lower than in Malé but still exceed WHO levels.41 At certain times of the year, half of the air pollution is due to transboundary transport of air pollution. It is estimated that 160 premature deaths per year in Maldives are caused by air pollution.42 Maldives has a National Action Plan on Air Pollutants(2019). Recognizing the link between climate change and air pollution, most of the measures in the Action Plan repeat measures pledged in the Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement, such as expanding solar electricity generation, improving the energy efficiency of air conditioners and refrigerators, and reducing the open burning of waste. If implemented, these actions would reduce greenhouse gas emissions 26 percent and fine particulate emissions 35 percent. Additional actions, including strengthening and enforcing emission standards for road vehicles and the marine fleet, would result in a 60 percent reduction in direct PM2.5 emissions, 40 percent reduction in black carbon emissions, and 27 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions by 2030 compared to a business as usual scenario. However, implementation is the primary challenge. Toxic chemicals A growing number of States have banned hazardous pesticides because of their dangers to human and ecosystem health. However, pesticide imports in Maldives have risen sharply in recent years. More than 14 types of potentially carcinogenic pesticides were imported in 2021. 43 Other concerns include chemicals used in the boat building and repair sector (e.g. formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen, and styrene, a probable human carcinogen) and asbestos, a known carcinogen imported in large volumes in asbestos-cement sheets (used in construction).44 The World Health Organization urges the States to stop using all products containing asbestos because of the severe risks of cancer and other diseases.45 Recommended actions including enacting a Hazardous Substances law, stopping the import and use of all asbestos products, and eliminating reliance on cancer causing pesticides. The government should also: strengthen occupational health and safety standards in key economic sectors, such as boat building, construction, and agriculture; 46 increase awareness and understanding about the importance of sound chemical management; and boost capacity for testing, monitoring and enforcement of rules. Biodiversity The Maldives archipelago’s coral reefs, mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, sandy lagoons and other marine ecosystems are among the most abundant and diverse anywhere in the world. In particular, the size, complexity, and rich diversity of the Maldives’ coral reef ecosystem—including 1,200 species of fish— make it globally significant. Of the 100+ endangered species in Maldives, most are corals, along with some turtles, sharks, rays and birds.47 Scientists are very concerned about the declining health of coral reefs in Maldives, especially in the more heavily developed central atolls.48 Corals are under pressure from the combination of climate change (ocean heating and acidification) and localized impacts (land reclamation, pollution, tourism). Maldives lost 75% of its corals in the devastating 2016 bleaching event. Reductions in coral abundance and diversity lead to declines in fish and invertebrate populations, harming local communities that depend on these species and undermining the long-term health of the reefs themselves. To take just one example, the 2022 Environmental Impact Assessment for the Addu Land Reclamation Project estimated that 20.88 hectares of coral reef would be lost, representing a cost of $US 340.6 million 8 to $US 851.5 million (up to ten times the budgeted cost of the reclamation project).49 The loss of 98 hectares of seagrass meadows in the same EIA had an estimated cost of $US 3.7 million.50 Mangroves provide resources for local communities are important as nurseries for reef fish species, bird habitat and a variety of vital ecosystem services. Destruction and reclamation of mangroves and coastal areas for the development of infrastructure deprives women who are dependent on these natural resources for their livelihoods, leading to increased financial dependability and vulnerability in the households. This is precisely what happened when an extensive area of mangroves was destroyed to build the Kulhudhuffushi airport.51 The economic, social, and cultural rights and the right to a healthy environment of hundreds of women reliant on handicrafts were violated. Coastal vegetation provides many benefits and should be protected whenever possible. Percentages of protected areas in Maldives are well below the international commitment of all States to protect 30 percent of land and marine territory by 2030, under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Data available indicate that in Maldives, 2.3 percent of terrestrial area is protected and 0.7 percent of the marine area, well below other small island nations (e.g. Seychelles with 62 percent and 33 percent respectively).52 Rights-based conservation requires inclusive involvement of local communities. Protected areas appear to lack adequate government support. For example, responsibility for the Addu Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was transferred from the Ministry of Environment to a local city council. Unlike the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, the Addu Atoll Biosphere Reserve does not receive any financial support from the central government. The Addu Atoll Biosphere Reserve is a global treasure that deserves the full support of the government of Maldives, including sufficient financial and human resources to develop and implement a management plan to attract more visitors and ensure its sustainability. A recent regulatory change allows dredging for land reclamation in marine protected areas. This type of regression is not consistent with the government’s obligation to respect the right to a healthy environment. Food Fishing remains an important part of the economy of the Maldives and a major source of nutrients. The key species are skipjack and yellowfin tuna, which are caught using sustainable fishing gear including pole and line and hand lines, respectively. Tuna represent 98 percent of fisheries in Maldives, and roughly half the catch is exported. Since 2005 the volume of tuna catch has been declining due to overfishing by other nations and oceanic changes (e.g. increased ocean surface temperatures) linked to the climate emergency. It is important to emphasize the impressively sustainable practices of the Maldivian tuna fishery, which include low levels of bycatch, relatively low levels of fuel consumption, and catch levels below the country’s quotas established by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission.53 It is unjust that European Union fishing fleets catch more skipjack and yellowfin tuna in the Indian Ocean than any State in the region (including Maldives).54 A profoundly troubling possibility is that the foregoing factors could completely eliminate the tuna fishery that employs more than 10,000 people and is at the heart of the healthy diet enjoyed by many Maldivians (with per capita consumption of almost 100 kilograms per year).55 The loss of the tuna fishery would be devastating for people’s health and their right to healthy and sustainably produced food, as well as causing social, cultural and economic losses. Procedural elements of the right to a healthy environment In order to fully enjoy their right to a healthy environment, people must have access to information, the ability to participate in decision making, and access to justice with effective remedies when their rights are being threatened or violated. Some sources raised concerns about delays in gaining timely access to information, extra difficulties getting information about state-owned enterprises, and the use of “national security” as an excuse for denying access to information. Others criticized public participation opportunities as limited, directed towards favourable stakeholders only (such as local councils), and treated as “box-checking exercises.” In the words of one individual, there is a “communication gap” between the government and the people. One of the key vehicles for implementing the procedural elements of the right to a healthy environment and achieving sustainable development is the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process. Disaster risk reduction, such as adequate drainage, should be consistently integrated in EIAs for land reclamation projects, but this is apparently not the case, or sometimes recommendations are not implemented. Numerous harbour, airport, and other land reclamation projects have exacerbated flooding risks, as illustrated by the rise in flooding in Kulhudhuffushi City after land reclamation and road construction for an airport destroyed a large area of mangroves. 56 Other critiques directed at the EIA process include lack of new information (copy/paste from previous EIA studies), studies done in a rush, resulting in a lack of comprehensive seasonal data, projects are politically pre-approved, work on projects begins prior to completion of the EIA process, and a failure to implement EIA recommendations. EIA should include health and human rights considerations, including the rights of the child and the right to a healthy environment. The Environmental Protection Agency needs additional resources in order to monitor and enforce mitigation and restoration recommendations made in EIA reports. These recommendations should be legally binding conditions for the granting of permits. There are a growing number of court challenges to government decisions that are harming or have the potential to harm the right to a healthy environment in Maldives. Some disturbing examples were given about local magistrates being influenced by pro-development public pressure to dismiss cases on spurious grounds, and environmental advocates being harassed for bringing these important public interest lawsuits. It is essential to the integrity of the judicial system for magistrates and judges be free from all external influences. One important case involving land reclamation for port development at Gulhifalhu is currently before the Supreme Court, which overturned an interim injunction granted by the High Court to stop dredging.57 Recommendations include training magistrates and judges about human rights and the environment (through programs offered by the UN Environment Programme), adopting procedural rules to expedite environmental cases before irreparable damage is done (as in the Philippines58), and encouraging lawyers to represent environmental clients (potentially as a pro bono element of their practice). Several disturbing accounts were shared of harassment and intimidation, including death threats, against environmental human rights defenders. This is completely unacceptable. The government should have zero tolerance for this kind of behaviour and should celebrate the work of advocates who are promoting sustainable development and seeking environmental justice. Those responsible for threats and harassment should be investigated and, where appropriate, prosecuted. It is a positive development that human rights complaints (related to civil and political rights) can be brought to the Human Rights Commission and the Civil Rights Office of the Attorney General. Efforts to have the Human Rights Commission comply with the Paris Principles established by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions should continue. Environmental education is a right for every child and should be woven throughout the entire curriculum in Maldives, from pre-school through university. The Green Schools pilot project in seven schools is a promising initiative in this regard. Urban planning Access to green space is very important for both physical and mental health, especially for children. There is much more green space in Phase I of Hulhumalé than in Malé, but green space originally planned for Phase II has been replaced by additional housing. This unfortunate regression should be reconsidered. Traffic congestion in Malé is causing air pollution and accidents. I recommend investing in safer infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as improving public transit services. Some streets should be closed to private vehicles, beginning on a trial basis, a strategy that has enjoyed great success in many cities. Encouraging developments from the perspective of sustainable development planning include a recently completed Urban Development Policy as well as work on a National Planning bill, a 20-year Long-term Development Plan, and an Urban Planning and Development bill. Gender Equality Evidence demonstrates that having more women in government leads to improved environmental protection and performance.59 Women’s participation in public institutions in Maldives remains limited. For example, their representation in decision-making bodies such as the Parliament, and executive positions remains disproportionately low. Following this week’s election, women held only three seats in the People’s Majlis, (the Maldivian Parliament), and only 3 out of 22 ministers are women. A positive step forward was the amendment of the Decentralization Act (2019), introducing a quota of 33 percent for the representation of women in local councils. Similar quotas for all public institutions, including Parliament, are encouraged. In 2022, the UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls recommended increasing women’s participation and decision-making related to climate action and environmental protection.60 According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, research from the Maldives suggests that women and men do not possess equal capacities to use mobility as a strategy to adapt to climate change. 61 Women are less able to employ migration as an adaptation strategy due to gender norms, social expectations, economic structures, religious doctrines, and cultural practices. Conclusion In conclusion, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Government of Maldives for the invitation to undertake this visit and for its excellent cooperation before and during the visit. Maldives deserves credit for being a vocal champion for the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment at the United Nations, both in Geneva at the Human Rights Council and in New York at the General Assembly. I would also like to express my genuine gratitude to the UN Country team for their valuable support and assistance. I appreciate the remarkable efforts being made with very limited resources by civil society organizations in Maldives working on pollution, plastic waste, tree planting, environmental education, biodiversity conservation and climate change. The people doing this work, many of whom are volunteers, are heroes for human rights and the planet. This end of mission statement highlights my preliminary findings from the ten-day visit. It will be followed by a full report with a more detailed and comprehensive analysis, including extensive recommendations, which will be presented at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in March 2025. I would like to close on an optimistic note. Scientists have conducted remarkable experiments in the Maldives to revive damaged coral reefs by breeding heat tolerant coral larvae and using recordings of fish noises to attract those larvae to damaged reefs.62 This research illustrates the remarkable resilience of nature. However, this technique will only work if every country in the world, including Maldives, tackles the climate emergency with increased urgency. As the IPCC has concluded, “Every bit of warming matters, every year matters, every choice matters.”63 Endnotes 1 https://www.unicef.org/rosa/blog/were-being-swallowed-ocean-and-running-out-freshwater 2 Mycoo, M., M. Wairiu, D. Campbell, V. Duvat, Y. Golbuu, S. Maharaj, J. Nalau, P. Nunn, J. Pinnegar, and O. Warrick, 2022: Small Islands. In: Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, M. Tignor, E.S. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Craig, S. Langsdorf, S. Löschke, V. Möller, A. Okem, B. Rama (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA, pp. 2043–2121, doi:10.1017/9781009325844.017. 3 https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2023/07/how-fast-are-the-seas-rising/ 4 See https://nccarf.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Rules-of-thumb-for-managing-coastal-processes.pdf and https://theconversation.com/climate-explained-why-coastal-floods-are-becoming-more-frequent-as-seas-rise-127202 5 https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/resources/spm-headline-statements/ 6 23. Economic and social rights Every citizen the following rights pursuant to this Constitution, and the State undertakes to achieve the progressive realisation of these rights by reasonable measures within its ability and resources: 7 It should also be noted that pursuant to the Constitution of Maldives, “a non-Muslim may not become a citizen of the Maldives” (Article 9(4)). 8 Government of Maldives and United Nations, 2022, Maldives SDG Roadmap, https://maldives.un.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/Maldives%20SDG%20Roadmap%20Oct%202022%20Final.pdf 9 Eya LI, Adam IM, Ruvaisha A, Adam IM. Readiness of the Maldivian Health System to Climate Change. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2023 Mar;35(2-3):230-231. doi: 10.1177/10105395231158683. Epub 2023 Feb 23. PMID: 36824019. 10 Ibid. 11 Chersich MF, Pham MD, Areal A, Haghighi MM, Manyuchi A, Swift CP, Wernecke B, Robinson M, Hetem R, Boeckmann M, Hajat S; Climate Change and Heat-Health Study Group. Associations between high temperatures in pregnancy and risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirths: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2020 Nov 4;371:m3811. doi: 10.1136/bmj.m3811. 12 Maldives Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, 2023. Maldives Second Voluntary National Review on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals Maldives. https://hlpf.un.org/sites/default/files/vnrs/2023/VNR%20Maldives%202023.pdf 13 https://mfr.mv/industry/maldives-set-to-spend-more-on-fuel-in-2022 14 https://edition.mv/features/29574 15 Asian Development Bank, 2020, Energy Sector Assessment: Summary. https://www.adb.org/projects/documents/mld-46122-005-rrp 16 Asian Development Bank, 2020, Energy Sector Assessment: Summary. https://www.adb.org/projects/documents/mld-46122-005-rrp 17 https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/endpovertyinsouthasia/why-maldives-5-mw-solar-project-game-changer 18 Ibid. 19 International Renewable Energy Agency. 2024. Renewable Energy Capacity Statistics, 2024, p. 21. https://www.irena.org/Publications/2024/Mar/Renewable-capacity-statistics-2024 20 Ibid. 21 https://dgap.org/en/research/glossary/climate-foreign-policy/just-energy-transition-partnerships 22 See https://lki.lk/publication/debt-for-renewables-swaps-how-to-address-climate-debt-and-energy-sectorvulnerabilities-in-sri-lanka/ and https://theconversation.com/how-debt-for-climate-swaps-can-help-solve-low-income-countries-crushing-debt-andenvironmental-challenges-at-the-same-time-191161 23 https://atolltimes.mv/post/news/6925 24 Duvat, V.K.E., Magnan, A.K. Rapid human-driven undermining of atoll island capacity to adjust to ocean climate-related pressures. Sci Rep 9, 15129 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-51468-3 25 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Special Report on Oceans and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate: Summary for Policymakers, 2019, p. 33. See also 4.4.2.4.5 26 Duvat, V.K.E., Magnan, A.K. Rapid human-driven undermining of atoll island capacity to adjust to ocean climate-related pressures. Sci Rep 9, 15129 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-51468-3 See also https://www.maldivescoral.org/projects 12 27 Mycoo, M., M. Wairiu, D. Campbell, V. Duvat, Y. Golbuu, S. Maharaj, J. Nalau, P. Nunn, J. Pinnegar, and O. Warrick, 2022: Small Islands. In: Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, M. Tignor, E.S. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Craig, S. Langsdorf, S. Löschke, V. Möller, A. Okem, B. Rama (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA, pp. 2043–2121, doi:10.1017/9781009325844.017. 28 Ibid. 29 Maldives Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, 2023. Maldives Second Voluntary National Review on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals Maldives. https://hlpf.un.org/sites/default/files/vnrs/2023/VNR%20Maldives%202023.pdf 30 https://edition.mv/news/31382 31 Toby B. Patti, Emily K. Fobert, Simon E. Reeves, Karen Burke da Silva, 2020. Spatial distribution of microplastics around an inhabited coral island in the Maldives, Indian Ocean, Science of The Total Environment, 748: 141263, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141263. 32 Colombo A, Bettinetti R, Strona G, Cambria F, Fanelli R, Zubair Z, Galli P. Maldives: an archipelago that burns. A first survey of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs from human activities. Sci Total Environ. 2014 Nov 1;497-498:499-507. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.08.013. Epub 2014 Aug 23. PMID: 25151268. 33 Colombo A, Bettinetti R, Strona G, Cambria F, Fanelli R, Zubair Z, Galli P. Maldives: an archipelago that burns. A first survey of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs from human activities. Sci Total Environ. 2014 Nov 1;497-498:499-507. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.08.013. 34 Walker TR. The Maldives should not become the world's garbage dump by importing plastic waste. Mar Pollut Bull. 2023 Apr;189:114749. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114749. Epub 2023 Feb 22. See also https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/12/19/dont-turn-maldives-worlds-garbagedump#:~:text=Section%2044%20of%20the%20law,of%20waste%20into%20the%20country. 35 B. Cowburn, C. Moritz, C. Birrell, G. Grimsditch, A. Abdulla. Can luxury and environmental sustainability coexist? Assessing the environmental impact of resort tourism on coral reefs in the Maldives. Ocean Coastal Management, 158 (2018), pp. 120-127. 36 Patti, T. B., Fobert, E. K., Reeves, S. E., & Burke da Silva, K. (2020). Spatial distribution of microplastics around an inhabited coral island in the Maldives, Indian Ocean. Science of The Total Environment, 748, Article 141263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141263 37 Barnes SJ. Understanding plastics pollution: The role of economic development and technological research. Environ Pollut. 2019 Jun;249:812-821. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.03.108. Epub 2019 Mar 29. 38 https://zerowastemaldives.com/the-maldives-bans-the-imports-of-certain-single-use-plastics/ 39 See British Columbia, Extended Producer Responsibility Five-Year Action Plan 2021–2026; and British Columbia, Environmental Management Act, Recycling Regulation No. 449/2004. 40 https://edition.mv/news/32279 41 Budhavant K, Andersson A, Bosch C, Kruså M, Murthaza A, Zahid, Gustafsson Ö. Apportioned contributions of PM2.5 fine aerosol particles over the Maldives (northern Indian Ocean) from local sources vs long-range transport. Sci Total Environ. 2015 Dec 1;536:72-78. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.07.059. Epub 2015 Jul 18. PMID: 26196071. 42 World Health Organization, 2023, Monitoring progress on universal health coverage and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals in the WHO South-East Asia Region – 2023 update, p. 61, https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/373775/9789290210917-eng.pdf?sequence=4 43 Ministry of Environment Climate Change and Technology. 2022. Baseline Assessment on National Use of Chemicals and Associated Risks. 44 Ministry of Environment Climate Change and Technology. 2022. Baseline Assessment on National Use of Chemicals and Associated Risks. 45 World Health Organization, 2014, Elimination of asbestos related diseases, https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/340579/WHO-FWC-PHE-EPE-14.01-eng.pdf?sequence=1 46 The proposed occupational health and safety bill should be enacted and must apply equally to all workers, both resident and migrant. 47 Maldives Red List, https://www.environment.gov.mv/v2/en/maldives-red-list See also http://www.earthsendangered.com/search-regions3.asp 48 Zampa G, Azzola A, Bianchi CN, Morri C, Oprandi A, Montefalcone M. Patterns of change in coral reef communities of a remote Maldivian atoll revisited after eleven years. PeerJ. 2023 Oct 24;11:e16071. doi: 10.7717/peerj.16071. PMID: 38077433; PMCID: PMC10710173. 13 Pancrazi et al. (2020) Pancrazi I, Ahmed H, Cerrano C, Montefalcone M. Synergic effect of global thermal anomalies and local dredging activities on coral reefs of the Maldives. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2020;160:111585. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111585. 49 Additional Information - EIA for the Proposed Reclamation Project at Addu City, September 2022. 50 Ibid. 51 https://www.hrw.org/report/2023/10/18/we-still-havent-recovered/local-communities-harmed-reclamationprojects-maldives 52 See https://www.protectedplanet.net/country/MDV and https://www.protectedplanet.net/country/SYC 53 https://ipnlf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/rates-of-fuel-consumption-in-the-maldives-pole-and-line-tunafishery-lr.pdf 54 H. Sinan et al., Subsidies and allocation: A legacy of distortion and intergenerational loss, Front. Hum. Dyn. 4:1044321. doi: 10.3389/fhumd.2022.1044321 55 Nadhiya A, Khandaker MU, Mahmud S, Abdullah WH. The presence of toxic heavy metals in tuna fishes from Laccadive sea and concomitant health risk. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2023 Nov 2;199(18):2224-2228. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncad213. PMID: 37934996. 56 Human Rights Watch, 2023. We Still haven’t Recovered: Local Communities Harmed by Reclamation projects in the Maldives. https://www.hrw.org/report/2023/10/18/we-still-havent-recovered/local-communities-harmedreclamation-projects-maldives#_ftn42 See also https://raajje.mv/66950#:~:text=Kulhudhuffushi%20island%20council%20has%20revealed,been%20affected%20by %20flood%20damage. 57 Humaida Abdul Ghafoor v. Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Case 2023/HC-A/267, 14 February 2024, High Court of Maldives. https://miveshi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Unofficial-Translation-High-Court-Judgment-2023-HC-A-267-14- Feb-2024.pdf 58 https://lawphil.net/courts/supreme/am/am_09-6-8-sc_2010.html 59 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, David Boyd, 2023, A/HRC/52/33 60 A/HRC/53/39/Add.2 61 Mycoo, M., M. Wairiu, D. Campbell, V. Duvat, Y. Golbuu, S. Maharaj, J. Nalau, P. Nunn, J. Pinnegar, and O. Warrick, 2022: Small Islands. In: Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, M. Tignor, E.S. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Craig, S. Langsdorf, S. Löschke, V. Möller, A. Okem, B. Rama (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA, pp. 2043–2121, doi:10.1017/9781009325844.017. 62 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/20/scientists-experiment-is-beacon-of-hope-for-coral-reefson-brink-of-global-collapse 63 IPCC, Global Warming of 1.5°C, Foreword at (
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Press Release
07 April 2024
Maldives: UN expert encourages efforts to promote inclusive governance and development
During a 10-day visit to the Maldives, Livingstone Sewanyana, UN Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order examined core aspects related to his mandate, including international cooperation in the areas of peace and security, sustainable development, climate change and social protection. He also examined the situation of migrant workers, public participation of women, youth and other marginalised groups in decision-making processes, and the protection of civic space. Sewanyana commended the adoption of a social protection scheme and encouraged the adoption of further policies and measures to strengthen social welfare and reduce poverty, with particular attention to segments of society in situations of risk and vulnerability, including women, youth and migrant workers. “Upholding the rights and dignity of migrant workers is a fundamental component of inclusive governance,” the expert said. “I strongly recommend that the Government enhances efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework for protecting their rights.” Sewanyana welcomed measures towards social infrastructure investment and diversification of the economy. He also reiterated the need to safeguard civic space which is the cornerstone of democracy and good governance. “Moving forward, protecting and expanding civic freedoms will be crucial to foster an environment where diverse perspectives can flourish,” the expert said. Sewanyana also acknowledged the Government’s efforts to formulate national policies and its international engagement and cooperation to combat climate change and its effects. During his visit, the expert met with Government officials, members of Parliament, representatives of civil society organisations and academics. Sewanyana will present a report on his visit, including key recommendations, to the Human Rights Council in September 2024. END
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Press Release
14 June 2023
From Paper to Practice - Reviewing Gender-Based Violence Legislations in the Maldives
On May 30th 2023, UNFPA Maldives convened a workshop to disseminate the findings of this analysis, spearheaded by Ms. Chantelle McCabe, an international human rights lawyer and gender expert to bring about this crucial dialogue among key stakeholders. Representatives from across sectors, including Uza Aisha Shujune Muhammad, Dr. Azmiralda Zahir from the Supreme Court, Hon. Uz. Hussein Shameem from the Prosecutor General’s Office, representatives from the United Nations and the Minister of Gender, Family Support and Services, Hon. Aishath Mohamed Didi amongst other esteemed participants, who sparked the conversation, underscoring the necessity of aligning written laws with their actual execution.
“We’re taking the cases up to courts, but other things within the law, for example services for the victims of violence, require more support,” said the Minister. There was a shared sentiment that the spirit of law isn't just about the prosecution, but also about providing support to the victims, ensuring they are not jeopardized when giving evidence, and empowering them through a system that truly serves their interests.
The Prosecutor General shed light on the potential opportunities arising from the Supreme Court’s call for a review of all laws. However, he also emphasized the conflicts within the penal code sections that could be counterproductive to a harmonized legal framework. In his words, “Some of the issues we mentioned among a few of these sections; none of them were used due to a conflict, which is something that needs to be resolved”.
One of the key themes that emerged was the need for transparency, coherence and consistency in the interpretation and application of laws. With numerous references to provisions that seem contradictory or are interpreted differently across sectors, the need for aligning laws and updating the provisions to reflect the current realities became a pressing concern. In this context, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Maldives, Catherine Haswell proposed a broader consultation involving diverse stakeholders and effective methodologies, borrowed from other examples from countries, to bring some coherence to the provisions while minimizing risk for women and children.
Additionally, a potent insight came from the Minister, who noted that “One of the weaknesses of our system is that a lot of things are people centered; depending on who is in a particular position of power during a particular time in order for things to happen”. Echoing this sentiment, Head of Office of UNFPA Maldives, Shadiya Ibrahim pointed out that “The wrong people are centered, it should be the survivors who are at the center”. This drove home the point that while laws are written down, their effective implementation should not depend on individual whims, but on a systematic, comprehensive and inclusive approach.
The meeting concluded on a hopeful note, looking towards future collaborations to address the issues raised, with a shared commitment to move from merely discussing laws to pushing the agenda for their effective implementation.
Moving forward, the insights garnered from this workshop will serve as stepping stones towards crafting an action plan that bridges the gap between legislation and its application. It’s time to turn our discussions into actions, our laws into lived realities, and our hopes into tangible outcomes.
Reference: https://maldives.unfpa.org/en/gbvlawreview
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Press Release
05 June 2023
Training Workshop to Enhance the Use of Administrative Data for Official Statistics Production
Under the auspices of the Collaborative on Administrative Data, the UNSD, with funding support from the UN DESA Development Account 13, has developed a training program that targets both administrative data holders and official statisticians. The workshop aims to foster a common understanding of the value of data sharing and collaboration between these stakeholders, paving the way for improved official statistics and informed decision-making.
The training workshop, titled "Increasing the Use of Administrative Data Sources for Official Statistics Production," covered a range of essential topics, including:
Understanding the concept and benefits of administrative data.
Mapping and assessing the usability of administrative data sources.
Quality management of administrative data.
Data sharing, interoperability, and data linking.
Data confidentiality and security
Formalization of data sharing through legal frameworks and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
Follow-up and implementation strategies.
The objectives of the workshop are to increase capacity and foster a joint understanding among participants which include the Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS) and various line ministries responsible for administrative data sources, regarding the optimal use of administrative data sources for official statistics production. It is envisaged that with this training the participants will gain a better understanding of the subject matter and possess a toolkit to facilitate effective collaboration between administrative data holders and official statisticians.
In the context of the Maldives, the workshop focused on migration and labor statistics, addressing key areas that require accurate and detailed data. Through interactive sessions and case studies, participants gained practical insights into harnessing administrative data to strengthen statistical outputs in the country including those related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UN in Maldives hopes that this initiative will address the key challenges of data gaps and capacity for analysis that are being identified in the 2024 Voluntary National Review of the SDGs and bring to the forefront the initiatives needed by the Maldives to reinvigorate the country’s commitment to enhance the monitoring of the SDGs in the lead up to the SDG Summit.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Ms. Vibeke Oestreich Nielsen
Interregional Advisor on Statistical Training and Capacity Building Development Data and Outreach Branch
United Nations Statistics Division
Email: vibeke.nielsen@un.org
Aminath Mushfiqa Ibrahim
Director, HR,
Maldives Bureau of Statistics
Email: mushfiqa.ibrahim@stats.gov.mv
Shaha Shakeeb
Associate Development Coordination Officer, Data Management and Results Monitoring / Reporting
UN Maldives Resident Coordinators Office
Email: shaha.shakeeb@un.org
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Press Release
25 May 2023
High-level Session on Official Statistics - How can we collaborate to provide more relevant data and statistics for informed decision making?
The event, held at Meerumaa Events in Moonimaa Maalam, featured esteemed speakers and experts in the field of official statistics, including Government Ministers many of whom are members of the Ministerial Committee on Official Statistics. Also participating were the Governor of the MMA, the Commissioner General of Taxation, the United Nations, the Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS) and other agencies of the National Statistical System. Members of the Statistical Council also engaged during the event.
The session commenced with an opening address by Honorable Mohamed Aslam, Minister of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure, who emphasized the importance of data-driven decision making in shaping effective policies and strategies.
Ms. Catherine Haswell, the UN Resident Coordinator, delivered her remarks highlighting the significance of official statistics and their role in promoting sustainable development and evidence-based decision making to keep on track with achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Maldives.
Ms. Vibeke Oestreich Nielsen, Inter-Regional Adviser on Statistical Training and Capacity Building at the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), presented on the topic of responding to user needs and achieving high-quality and up-to-date data sources. Her insights shed light on the strategies and mechanisms necessary for meeting user requirements effectively, with collaboration being of high importance in the context.
The session also featured a presentation by Ms. Aishath Hassan, Chief Statistician, who provided an overview of the statistical system in Maldives. She discussed the current utilization of administrative data and highlighted the key challenges faced by the government in collaborating and sharing data to produce accurate and timely statistics.
Ms. Vibeke Oestreich Nielsen further elaborated on the use of administrative data for official statistics, with a specific focus on employment and migration statistics. Her presentation explored the potential of administrative data sources in enriching the understanding of these critical aspects and more generally.
An interactive discussion took place, facilitated by Ms. Vibeke Oestreich Nielsen, focusing on employment and migration data across the Maldives Statistical System (MSS). Participants shared existing challenges in Maldives with reference to making data readily available and usable for all and creating an open and trusting environment for agencies to share their data.
UN Maldives with the support from the Government of Maldives is committed to supporting initiatives that promote collaboration and the use of data for informed decision making. Events like the High-Level Session on Official Statistics contribute to the advancement of data-driven governance and policy formulation. Statistics form an essential part of the Government of Maldives’ reporting its Voluntary National Review (VNR) on progress on SDGs to the UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July 2023.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Ms. Aminath Mushfiqa Ibrahim
Director, HR
Maldives Bureau of Statistics
Email: mushfiqa.ibrahim@stats.gov.mv
Ms. Shaha Shakeeb
Associate Development Coordination Officer, Data Management and Results Monitoring / Reporting
UN Maldives Resident Coordinators Office
Email: shaha.shakeeb@un.org
Ms. Vibeke Oestreich Nielsen
Interregional Advisor on Statistical Training and Capacity Building Development Data and Outreach Branch
United Nations Statistics Division
Email: vibeke.nielsen@un.org
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Latest Resources
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Resources
04 February 2024
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