Sixth Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific -
3R as an Economic Industry - Next Generation 3R Solutions for a
Resource-Efficient Society and Sustainable Tourism Development in Asia and the Pacific

On Sunday, 16 August 2015, two pre-events associated with the Sixth Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific were held in Malé, Maldives, commemorating Maldives National 3R Day.

The morning pre-event focused on the signing by resorts of the "Declaration by Resorts in Maldives for the Promotion of 3Rs and Resource Efficiency towards Protection of Local Environment and Marine Ecosystem." Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Environment and Energy, announced that 16 August would henceforth be designated as National 3R Day and announced plans to phase out non-biodegradable plastic bags. Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor stressed the importance of sustainable tourism to Maldives and announced the creation of an annual National 3R Award to recognize resorts for their best practice. Ali Amir, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE), discussed the principles, legal framework and key elements of the country's waste management plan. Ahmed Murthaza, MEE, outlined the commitments made by resorts by signing the 3R Declaration, and explained the award criteria for the National 3R Award.

The afternoon pre-event focused on the signing by City and Atoll Councils of Maldives of the Statement of the Saafu Raajje (“Clean Maldives”) Initiative to promote environmentally friendly and sustainable waste management practices. Umar Naseer, Minister of Home Affairs, and Abdullah Jihadh, Minister of Finance and Treasury, spoke on the importance of the Initiative. Ali Amir, Deputy Minister, MEE, reviewed the country’s waste management plan. Ahmed Murthaza, MEE, outlined the key elements of the Statement. Participants signed the Saafu Raajje Statement and then heard a closing statement from Abdullah Shareef Abdul Fahtaah, Thaa Atoll Council President.

Also held on Sunday were an NGO-led “Sixth Asia 3R Citizens Forum” event on the theme “Creating a Closed-Loop Community Based on 3Rs Practice in Asia and Pacific Islands," and a Workshop on Multilayer 3R Partnerships and Cooperation Among Asia-Pacific Cities co-organized by Japan's Ministry of the Environment on the theme “Building on the Outcomes of 2014 Chiba Workshop Towards Realizing Smart, Resilient, Inclusive, Low Carbon and Sustainable Cities and Communities.”