Maldives-India discuss strengthening cooperation in satellite data, space tech

Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Ali Shareef has held discussions with India on strengthening longstanding bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in satellite data and space technology.

The Minister met with India's Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, on the sidelines of the COP17 conference currently underway in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed ways to further strengthen the historic ties between the two countries and explored practical areas of cooperation, including environmental conservation, mangrove restoration, and the use of satellite data and space technology.

The discussions also covered capacity building and efforts to strengthen institutional ties between the two countries in areas including marine ecosystem management, climate resilience, and environmental monitoring.

Minister Shareef was accompanied by Director of Environmental Conservation Ahmed Shan during the meeting.

Minister Ali Shareef also addressed the High-Level Segment of COP17, where he underscored the urgent need for a streamlined financial mechanism to support Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in tackling environmental challenges.