Maldives president seeks parliamentary approval to join int'l conservation body

MALE, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih is seeking the approval of Parliament to join the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), local media quoted the President's Office as reporting on Wednesday.

"The decision to join the organization will present the Maldives with partnership and networking opportunities, as well as assistance to enhance efforts in the field of conservation of nature," said a statement issued by the President's Office.

The decision follows a proposal by Environment Minister Hussain Rasheed Hassan on Tuesday.

The IUCN is an international conservation body consisting of over 1,400 member organizations from 170 countries and regions. Enditem