Launching of a Regional Alliance for Prevention of Marine Litter in the Lakshadweep Sea – The Lakshadweep Zero Waste Alliance

Launching of a Regional Alliance for Prevention of Marine Litter in the Lakshadweep Sea – The Lakshadweep Zero Waste Alliance

The Consortium Partners of the Project PROMISE- Prevention of Marine Litter in the Lakshadweep Sea from Maldives, Sri Lanka and India launched the Lakshadweep Zero Waste Alliance on 5th June 2024 in an event held at The Maldives National University. The PROMISE project is a 

The event was hosted by the Maldives National University as the lead partner of the Project PROMISE and the chief guest was the Minister for Fisheries and Ocean Resources Honorable Ahmed Shiyam and the Commissioner General of Customs, Mr. Yoosuf Maniu Mohamed, joined as a guest of honor. The Chancellor of MNU Dr. Mahamood Shougee, Deputy vice chancellors (DVC’s) and heads of the University also joined the event.

The consortium partners are as follows, and they were appreciated at the event and awarded tokens of appreciation by the Guest of honor, Commissioner General of Maldives Customs.

• Adelphi (Germany) 
• The Energy and Resources Institute -TERI (India), 
• National Cleaner Production Centre of Sri Lanka – NCPC Sri Lanka, 
• Stenum Asia (India)  
• Parley Maldives, 
• The Maldives National University (Maldives) 

Dep. Vice Chancellor Dr. Ali Favaz Shareef gave the welcoming remarks and highlighted the commitment from MNU to make LOWA successful and support its growth. The Executive Director of Parley Maldives, Shaahina Ali, in her speech highlighted the importance of addressing the issue of plastic litter and the critical efforts required by all stakeholders to promote and implement the AIR (Avoid Intercept Redesign) strategy.  Speaking in the event the Chief Guest Minister for Fisheries and Ocean Resources Honorable Ahmed Shiyam highlighted that it was indeed a core environmental aspect in Dr.Muiz’s administration to work towards protecting the environment and specially the oceans, the efforts of the current government to tackle the issue and work on a multi-pronged approach was  expressed. The formation of a regional alliance was described as a beacon of hope by the Minister. In her vote of thanks Dr. Vidya S.Batra from TERI highlighted on the importance of working together and the efficiencies of such synergies, and thanked all partners and stakeholders. 

The Winners of the LoWA sustainability award was conferred the honor in the event.

Applications were received for the two categories medium / large entities and micro/ small entities, the evaluations on the applications were undertaken by regional experts from all three countries and winners from those that applied were declared in the ceremony.