#Huawei #Tech4Nature #Marine Conservation #Maldives #Male

Maldives Launches Tech4Nature Project to Protect Iconic Whale Sharks

The Maldives has taken a significant step in marine conservation by launching the Tech4Nature project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at safeguarding its iconic whale shark population. Collaboratively spearheaded by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism and Environment, and Huawei, this project marks a crucial modernization of management practices within the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA).

Located in one of the most breathtaking marine environments globally, SAMPA attracts thousands of visitors annually, all hoping to witness the majestic whale sharks (Rhinocodon typus) year-round. However, with the growing influx of tourists comes an immense logistical challenge for traditional monitoring methods. The Tech4Nature project seeks to address these challenges by equipping rangers with advanced digital observation and reporting tools.

Through enhanced data collection and real-time communication capabilities, the project aims to facilitate more efficient patrols. This not only allows for better tracking of tourism interactions with marine life but also establishes a robust, data-driven framework that supports SAMPA in its quest to attain the IUCN Green List designation.

This significant enhancement in operational capacity will ensure that conservation efforts remain measurable and transparent, while also supporting local livelihoods that are fundamentally tied to a healthy marine ecosystem. The Tech4Nature project plays a vital role in the broader, global Tech4Nature partnership, a collaborative initiative founded in 2020 by IUCN and Huawei within the framework of Huawei's TECH4ALL program.

Aligning with the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas Standard, the project demonstrates how technology can contribute to equitable and effective nature conservation efforts. Its formal launch took place during the high-profile closing ceremony of the Maldives Protected and Conserved Areas Forum 2026.

As the inaugural Tech4Nature initiative in the Maldives, the SAMPA project is part of worldwide efforts led by IUCN and Huawei to scale digital solutions in conservation. The project endeavors to strike a harmonious balance between sustainable tourism and wildlife preservation by enhancing visitor management, elevating compliance, and fostering scientific, evidence-based decision-making.

Throughout the project, a dedicated team of SAMPA rangers will receive essential monitoring and communication equipment to strengthen on-the-ground enforcement and patrolling. This initiative enables faster responses to unsafe or non-compliant activities, thus enhancing visitor safety and minimizing harmful interactions with whale sharks. Improved monitoring will also boost regulatory compliance in protected areas, promoting sustainable tourism practices that align with SAMPA's management and conservation objectives.

Dr. Dindo Campilan, the Regional Director for Asia and Hub Director for Oceania at IUCN, emphasizes the importance of equipping rangers with essential tools for ongoing site-level monitoring. He states, "Effective nature conservation begins with providing rangers with essential tools for continuous on-the-ground monitoring. This forms the necessary foundation for better management and governance of ecosystems. It is a pragmatic first step in bridging immediate operational gaps while applying the IUCN Green List standard to ensure SAMPA’s unique biodiversity and the local livelihoods that depend upon it are sustained."

In tandem with on-site execution, the project will also support the training of SAMPA rangers in line with the IUCN Green List Standard, which is recognized globally as a benchmark for effectively managed protected and conserved areas. A baseline assessment for the Green List will be conducted at SAMPA, providing a structured framework to identify strengths, gaps, and priority actions for enhanced management.

“Relying on joint efforts with a shared vision and collective responsibility remains vital for our ongoing commitment to bolstering conservation and enhancing institutional and governance mechanisms for managing protected areas,” asserts Thoriq Ibrahim, the Minister of Tourism and Environment.

Zhang Jinze, Chief Executive Officer of Huawei Sri Lanka, underscores the critical role of innovative technological solutions in better understanding and mitigating threats to biodiversity and the ecosystems, particularly marine environments. He notes, “Since the successful outcomes of Tech4Nature projects have shown, technology matters, but a core approach of the global Tech4Nature partnership is engaging local partners and communities in planning and executing projects to ensure the sustainability of solutions.”

To date, the initiative has supported 11 flagship and satellite projects across multiple countries worldwide, where customized digital solutions have been provided to tackle various conservation challenges, ranging from coral reef monitoring to wildlife protection and ecosystem restoration.

About Huawei

Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global supplier of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. With around 208,000 employees, it operates in over 170 countries and serves more than three billion people worldwide. Huawei is committed to making digital technology accessible to everyone, every home, and every organization, aiming for a fully connected and intelligent world.

About IUCN

The IUCN is a union of government and non-government organizations that utilize the experience, resources, and reach of over 1,500 member organizations and input from more than 17,000 experts. It serves as the global authority on the state of nature and the measures required to conserve it.

About the Ministry of Tourism and Environment

The Ministry of Tourism and Environment in the Maldives is responsible for policy formulation and implementation concerning tourism, environment, climate change, water and sanitation, waste management, energy, and climate change. Related agencies include the Environment Regulatory Authority, the Utility Regulatory Authority, the Maldives Meteorological Service, and the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office.