The Maldives has called for international fisheries governance to better reflect the circumstances of small island developing states, as the country hosts the 30th Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission in Malé.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam attended the opening ceremony of the session yesterday, where she highlighted the Maldives’ role in promoting sustainable fisheries management in the Indian Ocean. The minister said regional cooperation remains essential as countries confront growing challenges affecting the ocean and marine resources.
Minister Iruthisham noted that effective ocean governance must take into account the different capacities of countries. She said approaches to fisheries management should respond to the specific needs of individual states, including small island developing states, which often face resource and capacity constraints despite their dependence on the ocean economy.
The minister also referred to the need for technology transfer, adequate financing and capacity-building support to ensure that SIDS are meaningfully represented in global fisheries management. These areas remain central to the Maldives’ position in regional fisheries discussions, particularly as tuna fisheries continue to hold economic and food security importance for the country.
Minister Iruthisham also stressed the importance of aligning global and regional frameworks to support shared objectives in sustainable fisheries management. She reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to stronger cooperation in protecting fish stocks and improving long-term governance of the Indian Ocean.
The 30th Session of the IOTC is being hosted by the Maldives from 11 to 15 May 2026. The Maldives joined the commission in 2011 and has since taken an active role in its work, particularly in representing the interests of small island developing states in sustainable fisheries discussions.
