Building a low-waste landfill is a promise to future generations, says First Lady Sajidha Mohamed

First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has said that building a low-waste landfill, rather than being merely an environmental goal, must be a promise made to future generations. She made the remarks while speaking at the high-level meeting of the 'Global Zero Waste Alliance', held specifically for the spouses of heads of state from around the world on the sidelines of COP31. The First Lady said that for the Maldives, environmental sustainability is not merely a matter given priority in policies, but one linked to the country's survival. Noting that the Maldives is the most beautiful but also one of the most environmentally fragile countries in the world, she said that growing waste and plastic are posing major dangers to this fragile environment. "Due to the increase in waste generated, especially plastic, this fragile natural balance is increasingly facing major dangers. Looking at a small island nation, waste that is discarded does not simply disappear on its own. Due to waste put into the sea, our reefs are damaged, marine life is endangered, and those things are also reaching into our food system," the First Lady said. She said that building a low-waste or "zero waste" world, rather than being merely an environmental goal, must be a promise made to future generations, and noted that the decisions made today are important work to deliver a clean environment to future generations. Highlighting the successes achieved by the Maldives in waste management in past years, the First Lady noted that in August of this year important amendments were brought to the Maldives' waste management law, prohibiting the import of waste into the Maldives contrary to regulations, and that heavy penalties have been set for parties that export hazardous waste without permission. She noted that, in the capacity of spouses of heads of state, there is a special opportunity to empower students and young children to build a climate-resilient nation and to bring major change to society. She said she fully supports the goals of the Global Zero Waste Alliance and that working together at the international level is important. The First Lady also noted that small countries dependent on imports like the Maldives must bear a very large burden in eliminating the waste of items produced, packaged and exported in foreign countries. Therefore, she said arrangements must be made so that financial assistance needed for using sustainable packaging, new technology and a circular economy is easily available.