Government Announces Merger of Tourism and Environment Ministries

News

The President’s Office has announced the merger of the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy with the Ministry of Tourism, forming the Ministry of Tourism and Environment. This decision was made under the authority granted to the President by Article 116(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives and was formalized through an official directive issued today.

As stipulated in the directive, several agencies previously operating under the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy will now fall under the jurisdiction of the newly established Ministry of Tourism and Environment. These include the Environmental Protection Agency, Utility Regulatory Authority, Maldives Meteorological Service, and the Biosphere Reserve Office. The directive takes immediate effect.

In addition to overseeing tourism, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment will be responsible for critical environmental and energy-related functions, including climate change mitigation, environmental protection, energy management, water and sanitation, waste management, and biodiversity conservation. The Ministry will continue implementing previously established initiatives and policies within these areas.

Furthermore, it has been confirmed that the official designation for the entity will be "Ministry of Tourism and Environment." In alignment with these structural changes, all official correspondence directed to the Ministry will now be addressed using the number 88.

This reorganization reflects the government’s strategic approach to integrating environmental sustainability into the Maldives’ tourism sector, reinforcing the nation's commitment to both economic development and ecological conservation.