MATI Hosts Fourth Member Forum on Coastal Management and Climate Resilience

The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) hosted the fourth edition of its Member Forum yesterday, bringing together government representatives, tourism industry stakeholders, and environmental experts to discuss coastal protection and island dynamics in the Maldives.

Held in Malé, under the theme “Coastal Protection and Island Dynamics”, the forum focused on challenges related to coastal management, environmental sustainability, and the long-term resilience of islands in the Maldives.

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The event was attended by the Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, Ali Shareef, whose participation, MATI said, reflected the government’s commitment to addressing environmental issues affecting the country.

The forum opened with a review of previous MATI Member Forums, including unresolved issues and ongoing challenges raised by tourism industry stakeholders.

According to MATI, presentations were delivered by organisations working in coastal management and sustainable development. Coastal Assembly presented on the use of artificial intelligence in coastal resilience under the topic “Growing Coastlines with Intelligence – How AI is Transforming Beaches into Self-Improving Assets”.

LAMER (Land & Marine Environmental Resource Group Pvt Ltd) also presented on the application of numerical modelling in coastal protection and island reclamation projects, focusing on scientific forecasting and engineering tools used in the sector.

A panel discussion moderated by Dr Ahmed Shaig, Director of CDE Consulting, examined regulatory challenges, emerging technologies, and practical approaches to coastal management. Panellists included Mohamed Aslam, Director of LAMER; Mohamed Inaz, Director of Climate Change and Sustainable Development at Nexia Maldives; and Asad Ali, Secretary General of MATI.

MATI said that discussions centred on the need for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors in addressing coastal protection and environmental challenges affecting the Maldives and its tourism industry.

The session concluded with an open-floor discussion, followed by a networking lunch for participants.