President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has decided to nominate Fuvahmulah Atoll and Addu Atoll as UNESCO biosphere reserves.

The President made the decision at the Cabinet meeting held this afternoon at the President’s Office upon consultation from the Cabinet. The government’s decision to nominate the regions will ensue in the submission of the decision to UNESCO for endorsement.

The purpose of submitting for the designation of the two regions as UNESCO biosphere reserves is to ensure sustainable protection and preservation of natural beauty, marine life, and planning the acquirement of its benefits in a sustainable manner.

Biosphere reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. They are internationally recognized, nominated by national governments and remain under sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located.