From October 12 to 14, Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives H.E. Kong Xianhua visited Noonu Atoll to participate in the field visit for the "Low-Carbon Atoll Value Chains for Climate-Resilient Agriculture (LAVA)" project. The visit was also attended by the Maldivian Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources, H.E. Ahmed Shiyam; the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in the Maldives, H.E. Adnan Cheema; the UN Resident Coordinator in the Maldives, H.E. Zhang Hao; and Counselor Zhang Xu from the Chinese Embassy.

The project aims to develop an integrated value chain model across the Maldives’ atolls and islands—encompassing climate-resilient agricultural production, enterprise development, produce aggregation, low-carbon logistics, and market access. This initiative seeks to address challenges such as the country’s heavy reliance on agricultural imports, limited resources for domestic production, high transportation costs, and the escalating risks posed by climate change. 

During the field visit, the delegation toured four islands in Noonu Atoll—Manadhoo, Magudhoo, Kudafari, and Kendhikulhudhoo—to assess the current state and future potential of local agricultural production, produce processing and distribution, market development, and the circular economy. The delegation also held discussions with local Island Councils and Women’s Development Committees.