The 2nd Project Steering Committee for the project, Building Climate Resilient Safer Islands in the Maldives, was held on 18th July 2024 at Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy. Updates on project components, a restructuring proposal, expansion plans, and local council consultations were presented by the project teams.

Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) for Consultancy Services for the Implementation of Coastal Conservation/Protection Measures published on 11th July 2024.

Site visits to the project areas of L. Fonadhoo, L. Gan, and L. Isdhoo were conducted to observe the current conditions of the sites.

Community-based beach management consultation held on June 30th and July 1st, 2024, at Laamu Fonadhoo, Gan and Isdhoo Council. The session outlined beach management structures, including roles and responsibilities of local councils, and gathered feedback from council members. The aim was to develop a robust framework for beach management.

Site visit was conducted in S.Meedhoo project area where the adaptive measures are set to take place.

Community-based beach management consultation held on June 27, 2024, at Addu City Council. The session outlined beach management structures, including roles and responsibilities of local councils, and gathered feedback from council members. The aim was to develop a robust framework for beach management.

The purpose of the trip was to facilitate the JICA HQ Director's first-hand understanding of the ongoing endeavours within the "Building Climate Resilient Safer Islands in the Maldives" project. The field trip aimed to showcase the current beach erosion conditions in the project target islands and discuss the proposed basic design for coastal protection. With JICA serving as the Accredited Entity and co-finance partner, the visit provided an opportunity to elucidate the current beach erosion challenges faced by these islands and present the proposed solutions outlined in the project's basic design.

The Joint Coordination Committee meeting held on 7th February 2024 at 4th Floor Meeting Room of MCCEE and On-line (Hybrid). Participants reviewed the progress of the project, focusing on Component 1 and Component 4. They discussed current achievements and challenges, highlighting milestones reached and areas needing improvement.
The meeting emphasized the importance of collaboration and coordination among stakeholders to ensure project success. Future action plans were outlined to address issues and enhance project performance, with a commitment to achieving project goals within the designated timeline.

The 1st Project Steering Committee of the project “Building Climate Resilient Safer Islands in the Maldives”, was held on 6th February 2024 at the Meerumaa Event Hall in Male' City.
The project steering committee meeting was a crucial gathering of key stakeholders to oversee and guide the project's progress.

The Project Inception Workshop took place on February 6th, 2024, at the Meerumaa Event Hall in Male' City.
The objective of the Project Inception Workshop for "Building Climate Resilient Safer Islands in the Maldives" was multifaceted, aiming to engage all stakeholders and foster a shared understanding of the project's goals, activities, and timelines.

The second stakeholder workshop for the preparation of the Island-level Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan was conducted in Laamu Gan on November 23, 2023. Stakeholders from government offices and members of NGOs attended the workshop. The JICA Expert Team presented the framework for the island-level ICZM Plan and obtained feedback from the stakeholders. The results of the discussion will be used in the preparation of the ICZM plan for Gan Island.

This training program aims to deepen understanding of the significance of coastal protection based on coastal engineering and pragmatic practices in Okinawa for central and local governments. Its goal is to acquire the capacity for planning, designing, and implementing coastal protection, including structural measures (with a main focus on beach nourishment) and non-structural measures, by learning from both successful cases and failures in Japan.
Three participants participated in the Knowledge Co-Creation Program from November 22, 2023, to December 15, 2023. They were Ms. Khadeeja Jumana Siraj, Coastal Analyst from MCCEE; Ms. Aishath Shaikha, Environment Analyst from EPA; and Mr. Saaif Mohamed Saleem, Project Coordinator from MNPHI

The first stakeholder workshop for the preparation of the Island-level Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan was conducted in Laamu Fonadhoo on November 22, 2023. Stakeholders from government offices and members of NGOs attended the workshop. The JICA Expert Team presented the framework for the island-level ICZM Plan and obtained feedback from the stakeholders. The results of the discussion will be used in the preparation of the ICZM plan for Fonadhoo Island.

From August 6th to 9th August 2023, two representatives from the Maldives Meteorological Service participated in a practical training program on wave observation held in Japan. This specialized training, designed to enhance the capabilities of meteorological professionals, provided the participants with essential skills and knowledge in wave observation techniques. By engaging in hands-on activities and real-time observations, the Maldivian participants were able to deepen their understanding of wave dynamics and improve their proficiency in utilizing modern observational tools. This training is expected to significantly contribute to the enhancement of wave monitoring and forecasting capabilities in the Maldives, a nation highly susceptible to the impacts of oceanic and climatic changes.

Technical Transfer Training on Shoreline Monitoring System was conducted on 25th July 2023 to transfer the automatic shoreline monitoring system to MECCT and MMS.

A coastal inventory study was conducted to assess the current coastal conditions of the inhabited islands in the country. The study collected data on existing coastal structures and beach erosion issues on these islands. A questionnaire was distributed to all inhabited islands, and data were collected through island councils. The results of this study will be crucial for the preparation of a national-level integrated coastal zone management policy under this project.

This training program aims to deepen understanding of the significance of coastal protection based on coastal engineering and pragmatic practices in Okinawa for central and local governments. Its goal is to acquire the capacity for planning, designing, and implementing coastal protection, including structural measures (with a main focus on beach nourishment) and non-structural measures, by learning from both successful cases and failures in Japan.
Four participants took part in the Japanese training program 'Sustainable Coastal Protection Measures at Island Countries' held from November 28 to December 12, 2022. They were Mr. Ahmed Anwar, Senior Environment Analyst from MCCEE (Project Director); Mr. Ahmed Raidh, Coastal Analyst from MECCT (Project Manager); Ms. Miaasa Hussain, Engineer from MNPHI; and Mr. Hashim Abdulla, Senior Environment Analyst from EPA.

The 1st Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Policy and Planning Seminar took place at the Manhattan Business Hotel in Male on August 28, 2022. Stakeholders from MCCEE, MNPHI (Ministry of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure), NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), MMS (Maldives Meteorological Service), EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), and LGA (Local Government Authority) participated, discussing current situations and issues regarding coastal zone management aimed at building climate-resilient, safer islands. The JICA Expert Team presented the framework for the ICZM policy and received feedback from the stakeholders. This seminar marks the initial step in the preparation process for the national-level ICZM policy.