Maldives engages Media for HCFC phase-out

The government of the Maldives plans to ban the import of HCFC-based equipment from 1 July 2014. Minister of State for Environment and Energy, Mr. Abdul Matheen Mohamed, announced this at the closing ceremony of a national media training workshop on ozone and climate held in Maldivian capital Malé on 28 February 2013.

The government of the Maldives plans to ban the import of HCFC-based equipment from 1 July 2014. Minister of State for Environment and Energy, Mr. Abdul Matheen Mohamed, announced this at the closing ceremony of a national media training workshop on ozone and climate held in Maldivian capital Malé on 28 February 2013.

The Minister emphasized the need to raise awareness among both consumers and industry about these regulations, and sought the media’s cooperation.

The workshop, titled ‘Ozone, Climate and Media: Communicating for Survival’ was held on 27 and 28 February 2013 at Sineco Radio Maalam, Voice of Maldives. It was attended by 22 journalists and broadcasters drawn from the country’s print, broadcast and web media.

The workshop was aimed at sensitizing the media about climate and energy efficiency benefits of HCFC phase-out for the industry and households in the Maldives. It was organized by the National Ozone Unit of the Ministry of Environment and Energy in partnership with UNEP OzonAction and Maldives Broadcasting Commission. It was supported by the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA), and TVE Asia Pacific.

On February 27, the workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Mohamed Shaheeb, President of Maldives Broadcasting Commission. He highlighted the importance of media’s role in educating and creating awareness among the public on environmental issues.

At the closing ceremony, Ms. Miruza Mohamed, the National Ozone Officer, announced a new media award for excellence in ozone/climate related media products carried in print, broadcast and web media in the Maldives. The USD 1,000 award is open to all Maldivian journalists and broadcasters working in Divehi and English.

The media training workshop was conducted by NOU staff along with two regional media experts, Mr Nalaka Gunawardene, Director of TVE Asia Pacific, and Ms Moneeza Hashmi, General Manager of HUM-TV of Pakistan and President, Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA).

In 2009, the Maldives made a historic decision to phase out HCFCs by 2020, in line with its carbon neutrality policy, which is 10 years ahead of the Montreal Protocol phase out schedule.