At the 2026 World Ocean Week in Xiamen, southeast China’s Fujian Province, Hassaan Mohamed, director general of the Maldives Environmental Protection Agency, spoke highly of the city’s efforts to balance urban development with nature. He noted how green spaces and marine life remain part of Xiamen’s urban landscape, allowing residents to enjoy nature amid a modern city.

Addressing global ocean challenges, Mohamed called for stronger cooperation between large and small nations, emphasizing that countries must work together to protect the ocean and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.