Environment Minister Dr Husen Rasheed Hassan stated that though larger and more developed countries have shown concern for the effects of global warming, they do not care or do much for the countries that are at the front row seats to witness the disasters that will ensure.
Speaking to the attendees at a function held to mark World Ocean Day, he stated that Maldivians have done and are doing a lot to conserve the oceans and environment but there is still a lot more that can be done as individuals and as a country. He stressed on the fact that we need to change and strengthen laws to protect and conserve the biodiversity of the oceans that we depend on.
Also speaking at the function, Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture Ms Zaha Ali stated that damage done to the ocean ecosystems is damage done to the people that live around it and depend on it for survival. She further added that Maldivians are highly dependant on the ocean and it should be the people that take the most care in combating issues surrounding the oceans and the biodiversity.
She highlighted the work done by fishing boats and fisheries companies to promote sustainable fishing practising and commended their work as well and made them an example of how all citizens should be when it comes to the environment.