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SLOW LIFE Symposium 2014 delegates commit to immediate actions to secure the future of sustainable fishing in the Maldives

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Slow Life, Soneva

Maldives.net.mv – Delegates at the fifth SLOW LIFE Symposium, hosted at Soneva Fushi today pledged their immediate and continued support to secure the future of sustainable fishing in the Maldives. Responding to a direct request from the Maldivian Minister for Fisheries, Mohamed Shainee, to make the country’s existing sustainable fishing practices viable long-term, delegates have agreed to ongoing actions to realise this vision.

​Strategies outlined for development include a unique programme to explore the finance required to support the future conservation of the waters of Baa Atoll, which is the only UNESCO World Biosphere reserve in the Maldives and home to some of the world’s richest coral reefs and marine ecosystems. They also included exploratory discussions around the viability of ‘debt for nature swaps’ in the Maldives. The actions come as pressure grows on the Maldives to continue supporting their net-free and shark-free fishing practices, in light of competition from unsustainable fisheries, who can operate more cheaply.

Speaking at the conference, Chairman and CEO, Soneva Group and Founder of the SLOW LIFE Symposium Sonu Shivdasani also announced the creation of a $100,000 investment fund to ensure that early stage initiatives can be given the finance required to succeed. He said: “At every SLOW LIFE Symposium we have made a commitment to deliver results based actions, but now we are going one step further, by providing financial impetus for launch and potentially longer-term support for the initiatives and social enterprises that result from this unique event.”

The commitments to support sustainable fisheries in the Maldives, come on the last day of the three-day annual event, which is the world’s only bare-foot symposium. This year’s gathering, chaired by Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director of Forum for the Future, has focused on the theme of ‘capitalism within planetary boundaries’ looking at new models of finance that can help to secure a sustainable world. Eminent speakers at this year’s event have included Pavan Sukhdev, Gist Advisory, Jamie Arbib, Tellus Mater, Chris West, Shell Foundation, Jean Oelwang, CEO Virgin Unite and Peter Wheeler, The Nature Conservancy.

In addition to the commitments around fisheries, delegates also committed to developing eight other post Symposium actions, including building a sustainable Maldives fish brand, developing an ‘Oceans Lab’ to foster cross organisation collaboration on the future of the oceans and scaling existing sustainable rice production practices that reduce waste.

Speaking at the event, Jamie Arbib, Venture Investor and Founder of Tellus Mater said: “The role of philanthropy is to break down silos. Too often we focus on one issue but we must start to bear the bigger picture in mind.” He was supported by Jean Oelwang who spoke plainly about the need to stop duplication in philanthropy, due to activity happening in isolation, and her efforts to “convene cross sector partnerships that focus on the root causes of issues and turn them into solutions”.

The Symposium was sponsored by the Soneva Group, a world-leading sustainability resort group. Other topics explored this year include food, farming and sustainable land use, the future of the oceans and the future of philanthropy.

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Siyam World achieves snorkelling world record with 307 participants

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Siyam World, a five-star resort owned and operated by Sun Siyam, has entered the Guinness World Records for organising the highest number of people snorkelling simultaneously at a single venue.

The resort achieved the record through the ‘Snorkel World 300’ event held on Friday morning.

The event, conducted with Free Dive Maldives, included participants from 13 islands across Noonu Atoll, Baa Atoll, Haa Alifu Atoll and Haa Dhaalu Atoll. While the target was more than 250 participants, a total of 307 people took part.

Fahud Faiz of Free Dive Maldives, who played a central role in organising the event, said the outcome was possible due to the cooperation of Siyam World and the work of multiple contributors.

Fahud said Siyam World’s management supported the initiative and that both Siyam World and Free Dive Maldives shared the approach needed to carry out the event.

At the conclusion of the event, all participants received an official Guinness World Records medal. This was the first time participants of a Guinness World Records event in the Maldives were awarded the medal.

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Kuda Villingili Maldives crafts poetic Valentine’s escape ‘Through the Sands of Time’

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Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, an island celebrated for barefoot luxury and refined romance, has announced its Valentine’s Day 2026 programme, Through the Sands of Time. Designed as a poetic journey honouring love in all its forms, the curated experience invites couples to pause, reconnect, and create memories that linger long after the waves have smoothed away their footprints.

Set amidst turquoise waters and powder-soft sands, the resort is widely regarded as one of the Maldives’ most romantic hideaways, with accommodation that naturally lends itself to intimate moments. The Water Villa with Private Pool, poised elegantly above the lagoon, offers uninterrupted ocean views and complete seclusion — ideal for couples seeking privacy wrapped in Maldivian tranquillity. On land, the Beach Villa with Private Pool is nestled in lush greenery with a private stretch of sand just steps away, creating a serene sanctuary for sunset rituals and gentle, unhurried mornings together. These villas provide the perfect setting for Valentine’s escapes, honeymoons, proposals, anniversaries, and destination celebrations throughout the year.

This year’s Valentine’s programme highlights the resort’s diverse approach to culinary romance. The celebration begins with an indulgent Valentine’s Buffet at The Restaurant, featuring tropical flavours, live cooking displays, and an artisanal dessert selection. For those seeking a more intimate dining experience, Mar-Umi will present two five-course degustation menus — Seafood or Vegetarian — both infused with delicate Nikkei influences and complemented by a glass of Champagne, with the option of a sommelier-curated wine pairing. Couples wishing to start the day with romance may opt for the sought-after Aqua Breakfast, served floating in the privacy of the villa pool with Brut Rosé Champagne.

Beyond 14 February, Kuda Villingili remains one of the Maldives’ most romantic dining destinations year-round, offering a range of beautifully staged destination dining experiences — from candlelit beach dinners and sandbank feasts to secluded in-villa soirées — each designed to turn special moments into unforgettable memories.

For Valentine’s Day 2026, the resort presents a thoughtfully crafted collection of romantic experiences designed to deepen connection. Couples may choose the Pool Escape, an experience beside the Maldives’ largest pool complete with cocktails, Champagne, and a refined multi-course menu, or the Beach Escape, a cinematic candlelit dinner on the sand framed by lanterns and uninterrupted ocean views.

Throughout the day, couples are invited to enjoy shared experiences including sunrise couples’ yoga, a mid-morning painting session, and a soothing sunset yoga flow. For deeper emotional harmony, private sound healing sessions use calming vibrations to align energy between partners, while an open-air Valentine’s Movie Date under the stars sets the tone for a truly enchanting evening.

The highlight of the wellness offerings is the Valentine’s Couples Spa experience — The Coconut Affair. This 2.5-hour ritual includes a warm coconut oil massage, body scrub, facial treatment, steam session, and a floral bath, all within the resort’s private island spa comprising eight standalone treatment villas designed for absolute serenity.

Whether marking an anniversary, renewing vows, or planning a memorable proposal, couples will find the island’s natural beauty, thoughtful architecture, world-class dining, and wellness experiences to be an ever-inspiring canvas for romance.

With its poetic theme, refined experiences, curated culinary journeys, and settings designed for intimacy, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives invites couples to celebrate Through the Sands of Time — a day where love slows, deepens, and becomes a memory held forever in the heart.

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Luxury that whispers: THE OZEN COLLECTION celebrates five years of refined hospitality

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There is a distinct kind of magic that emerges when island sanctuaries are shaped by a visionary dream. Five years ago, that magic found its name: THE OZEN COLLECTION. What began as two intimate havens in the Maldivian seascape—the profoundly private OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and the contemporary OZEN LIFE MAADHOO—has since evolved into a refined hospitality philosophy that whispers luxury rather than declares it.

Founded in the heart of the Indian Ocean, THE OZEN COLLECTION established its legacy through two distinct Maldivian retreats: the ultra-exclusive OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and the bespoke OZEN LIFE MAADHOO. The brand quickly distinguished itself through its pioneering interpretation of all-inclusive luxury, expressed through its signature RESERVE™ Plan and INDULGENCE™ Plan. Far more than pricing models, these concepts serve as guiding philosophies, transforming each holiday into a seamlessly personalised narrative of indulgence shaped entirely around the guest.

This commitment to excellence has been consistently recognised through prestigious international accolades. OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI exemplifies distinction, with its Royal RESERVE named Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa at the World Travel Awards. The property’s MICHELIN Key further affirms its exceptional style and service, while its award for Best All-Inclusive Wine List at the 2025 World’s Best Wine Lists Awards highlights its sophisticated culinary identity.

OZEN LIFE MAADHOO has crafted its own celebrated path. A recipient of Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2025—an honour reserved for the top one percent of properties worldwide—it stands as a testament to consistently memorable guest experiences. Its recognition as Sustainable Champion at the Hotelier Maldives Awards reinforces the brand’s belief that profound luxury and responsible environmental stewardship are naturally connected.

Building on this foundation of success, THE OZEN COLLECTION is now embarking on an ambitious new chapter of global expansion. The brand is set to extend its signature elegance and personalised service beyond the Maldives with forthcoming openings in India: OZEN VILLAS JAIPUR, OZEN MANSION KOLKATA, and OZEN PRIVADO GOA. Simultaneously, it will deepen its presence in the Maldives with the exclusive OZEN PRIVÉ ATHIRI GILI, promising a new horizon of secluded luxury.

Reflecting on the journey, Stéphane Laguette, Chief Commercial Officer of Atmosphere Core, said: “Our first five years were about listening and refining our guests’ unspoken wishes, guiding us to the quiet verge of luxury. We learned that true excellence is not about being the largest, but the most meaningful. As we turn the page, we carry these lessons to new shores, ready to craft the next chapter of intimate, unforgettable escapes.”

As THE OZEN COLLECTION steps into its next era, its compass remains firmly aligned with its original purpose: the art of crafting sanctuaries where narrative is paramount. Here, architecture blends harmoniously with nature, service flows with intuitive grace, and every curated experience is designed to honour the unique story of each guest. This is more than hospitality; it is the preservation of moments that linger long after the journey ends—a legacy etched not in sand, but in memory.

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