30by30 target of conservation of 30% of land and of ocean areas is one of the biggest outcomes of the 15^th Conference of the Parties (COP) to CBD held in December 2022. To achieve this target by 2030, all the Parties are required to contribute to the achievement of it, by designating ecologically representative, well-connected and equitably governed systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures. The achievement of this Target poses unique challenges as well as opportunities to large ocean states such as the Maldives with extreme dependency on coastal and marine areas.

Since December 2022, Maldives has made progress towards 30by30 in line with the Government’s priorities and pledges. CBD COP16 provides a valuable opportunity for Maldives to share our experience and learn from other Parties in our collective effort towards a shared goal.

The Maldives Government has made a pledge to designate three additional atoll-level UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the Maldives in the next 5 years. These Biosphere Reserves will be in addition to the network of the existing successful three atoll level Biosphere Reserves in the Maldives (Baa Atoll, Fuvahmulah Atoll, and Addu Atoll). Additionally, the Government of Maldives has also pledged to establish at least one nature park in each atoll of the Maldives.

The dependency of Maldives economy on the tourism sector has resulted in the protection of several ecologically significant areas and species under law. Therefore, management of species along with management of areas are important for countries such as the Maldives where species as well as areas provide monetary as well as non-monetary benefits. There are examples from the Maldives which prove that with the management of a protected area, management of significant species and megafauna found it the area is necessary to achieve the required conservation outcomes along with socioeconomic benefits. Maldives is also working with World Bank to formulate a Project under GEF8 to establish a National Biodiversity Fund to mobilise public, private, and philanthropic funds towards conservation and management of biodiversity.

This side event will provide an overview of the Maldives efforts and plans towards achievement of the 30by30 target with a focus on unique circumstance of Maldives as a large ocean state.  

 

Objective:

•             Providing an overview of progress of Maldives as an island state towards 30by30 Target

•             Highlighting challenges and opportunities for island nations in area-based conservation measures and species conservation related to the overall development of the country

 

Expected Outcomes:

•             Sharing of Maldives experience, challenges and success stories in ensuring the achievement of 30by30 target  

o             Dialogue on opportunities for SIDS in establishing sustainable financing structures for biodiversity conservation

o             Importance of globally recognised conserved and managed areas

•             Challenges in ensuring effectiveness of protected areas with species management challenges

Program:

• Dinner (15 mins)
• Opening Remarks by Minister Thoriq Ibrahim – (5 mins)
• 30by30 experience and future plans from Maldives as a large ocean state - 5 mins
• UNESCO Biosphere Reserves as a tool for 30by30 in the Maldives -5 mins
• Maldives Nature Fund- pathway for sustainable financing for the Biodiversity Plan in the Maldives  - 5 mins
• Presentation by UNEP – 10 mins
• Interactive Session for Q&A and feedback from participants – 10 mins
• Closing Remarks by UNEP - 5 mins

 

This event aims to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange on 30by30 at a global level with a specific focus on small islands.