Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim, underscored the critical importance of quality data in formulating effective environmental policies at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Speaking during the high-level interactive dialogue on “Earth Intelligence for Sustainable Land Use,” Minister Thoriq highlighted the need to harness Earth Intelligence to to address data gaps and ensure continuous ecosystem monitoring for effective conservation and planning.

He stressed that access to reliable, high-quality data is fundamental to advancing environmental protection, combating climate change, and reversing land degradation. Such data, he noted, is vital not only for researchers but also for empowering local communities to build a deeper connection with their environment.

Minister Thoriq commended the Maldives' progress in enhancing its data capacity, particularly following its entry into the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) in January 2024. This milestone has enabled the country to adopt Earth Intelligence and other innovative solutions in collaboration with global partners.

Moreover, speaking at a side event titled “Restoring Landscapes: A Global Atlas for Ecosystem Resilience and Land Degradation Solutions,” the Minister  emphasized unique data needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).  

He highlighted the potential of Earth Intelligence in mapping and monitoring ecosystems, which is essential for building resilience to climate change, particularly in vulnerable island nations.

Additionally, Minister Thoriq met with Prof. Dr Kasım Yenigün, Director General of the General Directorate of Combating Desertification and Erosion and the General Director of Environmental Management of the Turkiye Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

He also held a bilateral meeting with Yana Gevorgyan, Director of the GEO Secretariat, where they discussed ways to strengthen and expand the Maldives' ongoing collaboration with GEO.