Environment Ministry signs MOU with CROSSROADS Maldives by S Hotels andResorts Under Singha Estateto support OECMs recognition

The Maldives’ Ministry of Climate Change, Environment & Energy and CROSSROADS Maldives collaborated to raise awareness, share knowledge, build capacity building development and support OECMs (Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures)

Mr. Michael Marshall, CEO, S Hotels & Resorts (centre right) agrees the MoU with Honourable Deputy Minister Hassan Mohamed, Ministry of Climate Change, Environment & Energy, Maldives (centre left)

BANGKOK, THAILAND: S Hotels and Resorts PCL (SET: SHR), the international hospitality company from Singha Estate PCL (SET: S), has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maldives’ Ministry of Climate Change, Environment & Energy to preserve this idyllic island nation’s natural environment, share knowledge about the importance of conservation, and support CROSSROADS Maldives’ rich marine biodiversity in an area covering 3.15km² – about 31% of the total project size – as part of an Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) programme.

Under the theme “Empower Minds, Foster Growth,” a major ceremony was staged at CROSSROADS Maldives. It was attended by senior dignitaries from the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment & Energy, including Honourable Deputy Minister Hassan Mohamed, Permanent Secretary Mr. Ajwadh Mustafa, and Director Mr Muhusina Abdul Rahman, accompanied by representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Fisheries, Ministry of Education, and the Maldives Marine Research Institute. They were joined by senior executives from S Hotels & Resorts, including CEO Mr. Michael Marshall and marine scientist Dr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat, the project leader, along with 20 students from various schools across the archipelago.

Project leader Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat outlines details of CROSSROADS Marine Protected Area  

The MoU will see S Hotels & Resorts play a key role in achieving the shared environmental objectives of S Hotels & Resorts and the Maldivian Government, including knowledge sharing, capacity building and support of OECMs – a conservation approach outside official protected zones. At the heart of this programme will be the Marine Discovery Centre, CROSSROADS Maldives’ innovative environmental and educational hub which features a state-of-the-art laboratory and undertakes critical projects such as coral propagation and breeding & release programmes for endangered species, and the Maldives Discovery Centre, which strives to protect the rich history, culture and arts & crafts that define the cultural identity of the Maldivian people.

Education is a key aspect of this MoU, and the 20 students invited to the signing ceremony were also given the opportunity to visit these pioneering conservation and heritage centres, where the programme was officially launched with information about coral restoration, biodiversity and culture. Future campaigns will be aimed at spreading knowledge among a wider range of social groups and ages, from children to seniors, including efforts to help communities better understand the ecosystem and how they interact with it.

This marks the latest phase in CROSSROADS Maldives’ partnerships with local schools. Since its inception in 2019, this integrated resort has invited more than 1,800 students from neighbouring islands to learn about conservation. Every aspect of this ground-breaking development is interwoven with its commitment to environmental and cultural preservation, including the use of solar panels to harness renewable energy. This dedication to sustainable practices helped CROSSROADS Maldives earn Green Globe™ Certification in 2023.

CROSSROADS Maldives is the Indian Ocean’s first and only multi-island, integrated development

Mr. Michael Marshall, CEO, S Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are delighted to sign this MoU with our highly esteemed partners at the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment & Energy. At CROSSROADS Maldives, we have always strived to protect the local environment and promote the livelihoods of the Maldivian people. Under this landmark agreement, we pledge to provide technical assistance, in-kind support and engage in outreach programmes for public education and awareness. This collaboration will also strengthen our position as an OECM and, in turn, contribute to the sustainable development of the Maldives.”

Honourable Deputy Minister Hassan Mohamed of the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment & Energy, commented: “I would like to congratulate CROSSROADS Maldives on their conservation and awareness work through the Marine Discovery Centre. Awareness and outreach play a pivotal role in preserving the biodiversity of the Maldives. As remarked by His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Muiz at the 28^th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change: ‘In our island nation, every coral, every grain of sand, every fish, and every palm tree carry value.’ Education programmes, community engagement initiatives, and partnerships between local communities, businesses, and government bodies are essential in creating a united front against the challenges posed to the Maldives’ biodiversity. With initiatives like the MoU signed today, we are taking positive steps toward creating a more aware and resilient community.”

This OECMs project is the important part of S Hotels & Resorts’ long-term commitment to being a nature-based solution organisation and is aligned with the COP 28 direction that aims to protect precious marine ecosystems and increase key biodiversity areas by 30% by 2030.

For more information about S Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.shotelsresorts.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or LinkedIn.

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About S Hotels and Resorts Public Company Limited

S Hotels and Resort PLC or SHR, a subsidiary of Singha Estate PLC, is a fast-growing holding company that engages in the management of hotels and resorts. In 2023, its performance has been outstanding with its portfolio featuring world-class hotels and resorts in not just Thailand but also beyond. An expert in the upscale hotel and resort management and investments in the most desirable global tourism destinations, SHR develops several lifestyle hotel brands organically and collaborates with some leading hotel/resort brands that have had strong distribution channels. As of 2023, SHR has 38 hotels in its portfolio. Together, these hotels have had 4,552 rooms. Each of them is located in a key tourist destination that attracts tourists from all over the world.  Guided by its parent company Singha Estate, SHR enjoys management strengths and pursues Sustainable Diversity Strategy. It thus has a diverse yet balanced investment portfolio, with sustainable growth as the ultimate goal of is operations. Thanks to its environmental focus, five resorts in Thailand and the Maldives and The Marina @ CROSSROADS have won Green Globe certifications that effectively provide assurances to both investors and guests. To learn more, please visit www.shotelsresorts.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, or LinkedIn. 

For more information and high-resolution images, contact:

Lalita Somboonsuk (Ta)

Senior Manager - Corporate Marketing Communications

S Hotels & Resorts | Singha Estate PCL

Tel: +66 (0) 2058-9888 ext. 320

E-mail: lalita.s@shotelsresorts.com

Website: www.shotelsresorts.com

Jerome Richard

Delivering Asia Communications

Tel: +66 (0)91 723 1648

E-mail: jr@deliveringasia.com