Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam attended the opening ceremony of the 30th Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission held in Malé today, where she stressed the importance of sustainable fisheries management and stronger regional cooperation.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister highlighted the Maldives’ active role in advancing sustainable fisheries management and emphasized the need to safeguard the Indian Ocean through collective action to tackle growing regional challenges.

Iruthisham stated that effective ocean governance must reflect the realities and differing capacities of countries while also addressing the specific needs of individual states, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

She further noted that technology transfer, adequate financing and capacity-building initiatives are essential to ensure meaningful participation of SIDS in global fisheries management.

The Minister also underscored the importance of aligning global and regional frameworks to achieve shared goals and reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to strengthening cooperation in sustainable fisheries management.

The 30th Session of the IOTC is being hosted by the Maldives from May 11 to 15. Since joining the commission in 2011, the Maldives has played an active role in promoting the interests of SIDS in sustainable fisheries.