Bangladesh has donated 20,000 trees to the Maldives in support of the Government’s national programme to plant five million trees across the country over a five-year period. The contribution represents the largest single donation of trees received by the Maldives from another country and further strengthens bilateral cooperation between the Maldives and Bangladesh in the areas of environmental protection, climate resilience and sustainable development.
The trees were formally handed over by Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr Khalilur Rahman, during a ceremony held at Lonuziyaaraiy Park in Malé. The donation was received on behalf of the Government of Maldives by Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam and Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Ali Shareef. As part of the ceremony, the three ministers jointly planted trees at the park, reflecting the shared commitment of both countries to protecting the natural environment and addressing the effects of climate change.
Minister Ali Shareef said the 20,000 trees would make a significant contribution to the Government’s five million tree planting programme. He noted that discussions held with Bangladesh’s environment minister had supported the successful coordination of the donation and expressed appreciation to the Government of Bangladesh for arranging the contribution promptly following consultations between the two countries.
The national five million tree programme is an important component of the Government’s environmental agenda and is intended to expand green spaces, strengthen natural ecosystems and improve the long-term environmental resilience of communities throughout the Maldives. The programme also supports efforts to enhance urban greenery, reduce the effects of rising temperatures, protect biodiversity and create healthier living environments for present and future generations.
The donated consignment includes a diverse selection of shade trees, flowering trees and fruit trees. This variety is expected to support environmental restoration and community greening initiatives while providing practical benefits such as shade, improved air quality, enhanced landscapes and locally grown fruit. The trees can also contribute to the development of greener public spaces and strengthen community participation in environmental conservation across the islands.
Minister Iruthisham Adam said the donation demonstrated the close and longstanding relationship between the Maldives and Bangladesh, as well as the two countries’ shared commitment to environmental protection. She stated that the trees would provide lasting benefits to future generations and serve as a meaningful symbol of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
Dr Khalilur Rahman highlighted that both Bangladesh and the Maldives face significant climate-related vulnerabilities. He said the donation represented practical cooperation between the two countries in responding to shared environmental challenges. He also noted that Bangladesh has an established practice of donating trees to friendly countries as part of its commitment to international friendship and environmental responsibility.
The contribution surpasses the previous largest overseas tree donation received by the Maldives, which consisted of 1,000 trees donated by Sri Lanka. The scale of Bangladesh’s donation reflects the growing international support for the Maldives’ environmental priorities and the Government’s continued efforts to establish productive partnerships in pursuit of national climate and sustainability objectives.
The donation further demonstrates the Government of Maldives’ commitment to implementing long-term environmental policies through cooperation with international partners. By expanding tree coverage and encouraging sustainable management of green spaces, the five million tree programme is expected to strengthen climate resilience, improve the quality of public environments and support the country’s broader vision for sustainable national development.
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