Malé, Maldives – 3-4 February 2025 - The Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security, H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn, conducted a series of strategic bilateral meetings with H.E. Dr. Maryam Mariya, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, and H.E. Mr. Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Tourism and Environment. These discussions focused on fostering collaborative initiatives to advance food security, sustainable agriculture, fisheries management, and climate resilience in the Maldives.
During his meeting with H.E. Dr. Maryam Mariya, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Amb. Aryn emphasized the importance of enhancing climate-smart agriculture to address the Maldives' dependence on food imports. Discussions centered on Capacity building for farmers to expand horticulture through sustainable greenhouse solutions, hydroponic, vertical farming, tropical crop diversification, soil fertility management and plant protection. The conversation also addressed food waste reduction strategies, focusing on improved storage, post-harvest management, and circular food systems. In a significant development, the Maldivian government expressed strong interest and confirmed that it is in the process of joining soon as a member of the Islamic Organization for Food Security.
In his meeting with H.E. Mr. Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, the discussions focused on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Maldives' fisheries sector, which is a cornerstone of the national economy. IOFS and the Ministry explored sustainable fisheries management approaches to balance marine conservation with economic growth, ensuring that fish stocks are maintained at healthy levels. Given the challenges posed by climate change, climate-resilient aquaculture emerged as a key area of collaboration, with IOFS supporting the development of sustainable fish farming techniques that can enhance seafood production while mitigating environmental impact. Additionally, both parties emphasized the role of digitalization and smart technologies in fisheries governance, including real-time monitoring, satellite tracking of fish stocks, and AI-driven analytics for optimizing fishery resources.
During his engagement with H.E. Mr. Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Tourism and Environment, Amb. Aryn stressed the critical role of nature-based solutions in enhancing climate resilience for agriculture and fisheries in the Maldives. The discussion focused on Capacity building in water management, water desalinization, sustainable land use, and ecosystem-based climate adaptation strategies to protect marine and terrestrial biodiversity.
These bilateral engagements reaffirm IOFS’s commitment to supporting the Maldives in developing resilient agricultural and fisheries systems, strengthening food security, and advancing climate adaptation strategies.
