Chief Government Spokesperson at the President's Office Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) stated today that as per President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's pledge to increase UNESCO biosphere reserves in Maldives, a request will be made in September to UNESCO to determine Laamu Atoll as a biosphere reserve.

While answering a question from a journalist during today's press conference held at the President's Office, Shareef said that the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy are preparing to make a submission to UNESCO to request Laamu Atoll be made into a biosphere reserve and that the necessary documents are being prepared as well.

"UNESCO always makes their assessments in September. The ministry will hopefully be done with their preparations by September in submitting the necessary documents to request Laamu Atoll be made into a biosphere reserve," said Shareef.

According to Shareef, the government is currently conducting efforts to determine a part of Laamu Atoll as Maldives' fifth biosphere reserve as well, with work being done to procure financial aid from foreign parties.

UNESCO determines biosphere reserves based on the submissions made by nations and if certain criteria are met. Maldives currently has three biosphere reserves.