The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Iruthisham Adam has stressed on the need for ocean governance frameworks that reflect the diverse realities and differentiated capacities of nations around the Indian Ocean.
Delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 30th Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), Minister Iruthisham reaffirmed the Maldives' unwavering commitment to advancing sustainable fisheries management across the Indian Ocean region.
In her remarks, Minister Iruthisham highlighted the pivotal role that the Maldives has played in advancing sustainable fisheries management within the Indian Ocean region. She emphasised that the health of the Indian Ocean is intrinsically linked to the livelihoods and food security of millions of people who depend on its resources, and therefore requires coordinated, collective action to address the mounting challenges facing marine ecosystems.
The Minister called upon member states to work in solidarity toward common objectives that serve both environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.
The Minister's address placed particular emphasis on the need for ocean governance frameworks that reflect the diverse realities and differentiated capacities of nations around the Indian Ocean. She stressed that effective management approaches must be responsive to the specific circumstances and vulnerabilities of individual states, especially small island developing states whose economies are disproportionately dependent on marine resources.
In this context, Minister Iruthisham underscored three critical enablers that she said are essential to ensuring meaningful participation of SIDS in global fisheries management—the transfer of appropriate technology, adequate and accessible financing mechanisms, and robust capacity-building initiatives that empower local institutions and expertise.
The Minister affirmed the Maldives' steadfast commitment to strengthening international cooperation and partnerships that advance the sustainable management of tuna fisheries and broader ocean governance objectives.
The 30th Session of the IOTC represents the culmination of fifteen years of active engagement by the Maldives in the organisation since joining in 2011. During this period, the Maldives has consistently advocated for the interests of small island developing states and has worked to ensure that the unique perspectives and vulnerabilities of SIDS are adequately reflected in the commission's decisions and recommendations.
The five-day IOTC session, which runs from 11 to 15 May has drawn representatives from member states and observer organisations across the Indian Ocean region, with discussions expected to address critical issues including stock assessments for key tuna species, measures to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and the development of ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management.