First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has stressed the need to tackle waste pollution at its source, highlighting the importance of protecting marine environments through greater producer responsibility and sustainable waste management.
She made the remarks at the High-Level Meeting of the Global Zero Waste Alliance in Antalya, Türkiye, during the President’s official visit to attend the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31).
Hosted by Türkiye’s First Lady, Emine Erdoğan, the meeting brought together spouses of world leaders to promote international cooperation in sustainable waste management and environmental protection.
In her remarks, the First Lady highlighted the harmful effects of marine litter on coral reefs, marine life and the food chain, stressing that waste does not simply disappear once discarded. She commended First Lady Emine Erdoğan for her leadership in advancing the global Zero Waste Movement. She reaffirmed the Maldives’ support for the vision and objectives of the Global Zero Waste Alliance.
The First Lady also highlighted legislative measures taken by the Maldives, including amendments to the Waste Management Act enacted in August by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. The amendments prohibit illegal waste imports and impose severe penalties for unauthorised hazardous-waste trade.
Addressing the shared responsibility for waste management, she noted that consumer-dependent countries such as the Maldives often bear the burden of managing waste manufactured, packaged and exported from other countries. She stressed that responsibility should not end at the point of sale, calling for greater producer responsibility, sustainable packaging, innovative technologies and accessible financing to support the transition to a circular economy.
The First Lady also emphasised the role of families, schools and communities in driving lasting change, particularly by empowering children to become guardians of a cleaner planet. She noted that lasting change begins at home, takes root in schools and grows within communities.
