The Maldives today opened the 30th Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTCS30), marking the first time the country has hosted a session of the Commission.
Opening Remarks
Officiating the ceremony, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam spoke of the deep connection between the Maldivian people and the ocean, and reaffirmed the country’s longstanding commitment to sustainable and responsible fisheries management. The Minister called for stronger international cooperation and science-based decision-making in the management of shared tuna resources, adding that the voices and realities of coastal and Small Island Developing States must be meaningfully reflected in regional governance.
Ministerial Participation
The opening was also attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Abdullah, Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed, and Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Ali Shareef.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that the Maldives’ foreign policy has long been anchored in tourism, trade, and tuna. She stressed the importance of maintaining coherence across the country’s global ocean-related commitments, including those under the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.
A Step Forward in Ocean Governance
Hosting IOTCS30 reflects the Government’s broader focus, under the leadership of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, on strengthening the fisheries sector and deepening the Maldives’ role in regional and international ocean governance. Delegates from member States and observer organisations are expected to take part in the discussions over the coming days, addressing matters related to the conservation and sustainable management of tuna and tuna-like species across the Indian Ocean region.
