Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed has met with California State’s Secretary for Environmental Protection, Ms Linda Adams.

Discussions were focused on strengthening relations between California and the Maldives in the area of environmental protection.

As the Maldives is among the most vulnerable countries to climate change, the Vice President and Secretary Adams discussed on the possible areas in which the California State could assist the Maldives.

During the meeting, Secretary Adams invited President Mohamed Nasheed and Vice President Dr Waheed to a climate conference to be held in California in October this year.

She said California State can have an agreement on environmental protection with the Maldives before the conference, and undertake several programmes for Maldivian environment experts.

Applauding the Maldives’ plan to go carbon neutral, Secretary Adams said she would provide all possible assistance towards that end.

Dr Waheed also discussed on the environmental issues faced by the Maldives, and briefed Secretary Adams on the measures being taken by the government to tackle the issues.