President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that MVR 7 million will be allocated annually from the Maldives Green Fund to support environmental protection and conservation efforts across the country.

The announcement was made in a message marking World Environment Day, during which the President extended greetings to the public and underscored the importance of safeguarding the environment for future generations.

The President stated that limited access to funding remains one of the major obstacles facing global efforts to address climate change.

He said the new allocation would provide additional financial support for environmental initiatives beyond the funding already designated for the sector through the national budget.

According to the President, the annual funding will be used to support a range of activities, including the management of protected areas, wildlife conservation programs, environmental research, public awareness campaigns, and technical capacity-building initiatives.

The allocation will also provide support for environmental projects carried out by schools and civil society organizations, with the aim of encouraging broader community participation in conservation efforts.

The President expressed confidence that the additional funding would strengthen national environmental protection measures and help facilitate the implementation of sustainable, long-term projects.

He also highlighted the significance of this year's World Environment Day theme, noting its relevance to the challenges faced by Small Island Developing States such as the Maldives, which remain among the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.