Male’, Maldives, 14th June 2023 – Sun Siyam Resorts honoured this year’s World Ocean Day 2023 with a resort-wide and simultaneously held underwater gathering to sign a declaration of commitment to sustainability at precisely 09:30 am, local time on June 08, 2023, which was joined by the property heads of departments and sustainability committee members. The pledge goes towards supporting and continuing various sustainable initiatives and actions such as: picking up washed-up trash from beaches and the ocean, avoiding plastic bags, straws, cutlery, and unnecessary packaging, as well as cosmetics using microbeads, reducing energy and water use, managing waste to reduce plastic use, minimize the environmental impact, and preserving the ocean and its inhabitants.
In addition to the pledging ceremony held underwater, all resorts held a variety of sustainable activities during the day to mark the occasion and to bring together guests, staff, and local communities to celebrate the beauty of the ocean and inspire action to protect it.
Guests at Siyam World Maldives joined the island-based, local marine biologist Thuhu and the island team for a special lagoon island clean up event in the morning, where everyone could actively “make a difference” while the team at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef hosted a lecture and awareness programme conducted by marine biologist Mr. Mohamed Zahuwaan Shakir from the Marine Research Institute in the Maldives on various ocean specific topics and preserving the oceans for the local community of nearby island Dh. Bandidhoo. Participants learned about the impact of plastic pollution on our oceans and marine life, and received tips on how they can reduce their own plastic usage.
All other properties in the Sun Siyam resorts portfolio, as well as Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Sun Siyam Iru Veli, and Sun Siyam Olhuveli carried out several environmental and sustainability activities throughout the day, from tree planting ceremonies, to reef, beach, and lagoon cleaning sessions, marine biology talks, and pledging ceremonies on the properties itself as well as on nearby local islands.
This initiative is part of the Sun Siyam Cares sustainability programme which is actively practised at all Sun Siyam Resorts to demonstrate support for environmental protection. The programme prioritizes sustainability through initiatives such as reducing energy and water use, managing waste to reduce plastic use, supporting community development, and investing in renewable energy. It also focuses on conservation efforts and work to preserve local heritage and cultural practices. By following these sustainability practices, Sun Siyam Resort aims to minimize its environmental impact, carbon footprint and contribute to the socio-economic well-being of the communities in which they operate.
