Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen has highlighted the importance of a shared maritime future and a sustainable development ecosystem at the International Maritime Equipment Conference held in Fuzhou, China.

Addressing the conference, Minister Ameen noted that climate change poses significant challenges for island nations such as the Maldives, stressing the need for collective global action to find effective solutions.

He spoke about the work being undertaken by the Twenty-first Century Maritime Cooperation Committee to protect marine resources and enhance economic benefits from the ocean. The Minister said that if the committee’s decisions are implemented effectively, small island states like the Maldives stand to gain considerably.

Minister Ameen also highlighted that decisions made today in areas such as marine equipment, vessel design, fuel use and port development will play a key role in shaping the future of the global maritime industry. He said it is essential to ensure that efforts to achieve sustainable development safeguard the well-being of future generations.

In his address, the Minister also outlined Maldives’ vision for driving maritime economic growth through technological innovation and shared practical ideas and solutions for both Government and industry stakeholders.

The International Maritime Equipment Conference is a major global platform focused on advancing sustainable, smart and eco-friendly maritime technologies. This year’s conference brought together around 120 participants, including members and advisors of the Twenty-first Century Maritime Cooperation Committee, representatives of international organisations, diplomats, academics, experts and industry leaders.