Plastic bag imports halved after single-use plastics ban, says pres

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said on Monday that the number of plastic bags imported into the Maldives has been reduced by 50% in the past year since the ban on the import of 13 single-use plastic products.

Speaking at a public gathering held in AA. Ukulhas to celebrate the World Environment Day, President Solih said efforts were also being made to ban the import and use of more plastic products in the Maldives. The aim is to make the country a completely plastic-free country, he said.

The president highlighted the impact of waste management issues on the country's environment. He said that the issue should be resolved quickly so that every island should have adequate waste bins and provide them with necessary equipment.

The president said:

The president said that one of the biggest challenges facing the country is the impact of climate change and the economic and social consequences that come with it.

Noting that the Maldives is one of the most vocal advocates of global environmental protection and sustainable development, the president said the negative impact of climate change will be on low-lying island nations such as the Maldives.

"Therefore, one of our goals is to show the world that sustainable development can be achieved in an eco-friendly manner," he said.

In the near future, a certain amount of the country's green fund revenue will be used for environmental conservation and human resource building in the sector, he said.

Among the things that the Green Fund plans to spend on, the president said: