"Today, I’m excited to take this partnership further, with the launch of the Noo Raajje, or Blue Maldives, program. This program will address all the activities that we will conduct with the Blue Prosperity Coalition to enhance our local capacity to be better protectors of the ocean."
- His Excellency, President of the Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
On December 16th, 2020, leadership of the Maldivian program Noo Raajje introduced program goals, objectives, and benefits to the public through a virtual public launch, hosted on Facebook Live and on Maldivian television. Program leadership, including the President of the Maldives, His Excellency Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Hon. Minister Zaha Waheed, Hon. Minister Uz. Fayyaz Ismail, Dr. Kathryn Mengerink, and Dr. Angus Friday shared how Noo Raajje will protect and sustain marine resources for the good of Maldivian communities, now and into the future.
"The oceans are connected to every aspect of the Maldivian way of life. They surround us, they inspire us, employ us, and sustain us… Sustainable develop of small island states like the Maldives will never be realized unless we make meaningful progress in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation."
- Hon. Minister Zaha Waheed, Ministry of Fisheries
Noo Raajje is a five-year partnership between the Government of the Maldives and the Blue Prosperity Coalition, which will develop and implement solutions for long-term sustainable ocean management and resource utilization, form the necessary regulatory framework to support sustainable management, and create a blue economy strategy.
Boasting one of the most sustainable tuna fisheries in the world thanks to the traditional pole-and-line fishery, the Maldives is already a world leader in ocean management and the fight against climate change. Noo Raajje will build upon the country's existing initiatives to develop a nation-wide Marine Spatial Plan, which will include protection of 20% of the Maldives' Exclusive Economic Zone, in order to organize use of ocean spaces and support sustainable development. This will ensure the Maldives maintains a strong economy while meeting conservation goals. This work depends on leadership from the Government and input from the stakeholders and communities who rely on the ocean for their wellbeing. As the program develops, there will be different opportunities for the public to engage.
"Sustainability and respect for our ocean and environment must remain at the heart of our development journey, because that is the only way future generations can enjoy the same blessings nature has gifted to us."
-Hon. Uz. Fayyaz Ismail, Ministry of Economic Development
Watch the video below to hear more from program leadership and important stakeholders about the opportunities and initiatives of Noo Raajje:
Noo Raajje is led by the Government of the Maldives, including the President's Office and the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture, and in partnership with government agencies including the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Tourism, the Environment Protection Agency, and the Maldives Marine Research Institute. International support comes from the Blue Prosperity Coalition, including the Waitt Institute, the Waitt Foundation, National Geographic Pristine Seas, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, SeaSketch, Environmental Markets Solutions Lab at UC Santa Barbara, UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, and others.
Learn more at www.nooraajje.org and follow along on the program's Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
For more information, please contact:
Fathimath Nistharan | fnistharan@waittinstitute.org