November 17, 2025
The South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) successfully convened a National Consultation on Marine Litter today in Malé, Maldives, bringing together key national stakeholders to advance collective action against marine plastic pollution.
The consultation served as a crucial platform for dialogue among government agencies, environmental organizations, waste management institutions, academia, and community representatives. Participants explored ways to strengthen the Maldives’ response to marine litter through improved policy, coordination, and sustainable practices.
This national consultation builds on outcomes from the community-level consultation held on 15 November in Kulhudhuffushi , where local leaders, youth, fishermen, and women’s groups shared their lived experiences of plastic pollution. Insights from Kulhudhuffushi helped shape today’s discussions, ensuring that grassroots realities and concerns are reflected in national-level decision-making.
During the consultation, stakeholders underscored the urgent need to:
Participants also reflected on ongoing PLEASE Project initiatives in the Maldives and identified areas where SACEP’s regional knowledge sharing and technical coordinationcan further support national priorities and implementation efforts.
SACEP remains committed to working with the Government of the Maldives and regional partners to enable sustainable, collaborative, and community-responsive solutions to marine litter across South Asia.
