President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu has emphasised the urgent need for easier access to financial assistance for small island developing countries like the Maldives to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. He made the remarks in an article published in The Guardian.
Highlighting the persistent threat posed by climate change, particularly sea level rise, President Dr. Muizzu underscored the Maldives' longstanding struggle in addressing this existential challenge. Since 1989, the Maldives has been at the forefront of raising awareness about climate change on the international stage, recalled the president.
President said that 35 years have passed since Maldives brought the issue of climate change to the attention of the international community. Reflecting on the past three decades, President Dr. Muizzu lamented the inadequate allocation of financial aid to combat climate change, with small island developing countries receiving a mere 14 percent of the total assistance. He emphasised the disproportionate vulnerability of nations like the Maldives to the impacts of global warming.
Calling for a reevaluation of the current criteria for distributing financial aid, President Dr. Muizzu asserted that the existing framework fails to account for the unique challenges faced by small island nations such as the Maldives, hindering their access to crucial assistance.
Furthermore, President Dr. Muizzu highlighted the effects of being categorised as a developing country, which has limited Maldives' access to financial aid reserved for the least developed nations.
Addressing the shortcomings in assessing climate change risks, President Dr. Muizzu advocated for revising aid allocation rules and interest rates to better reflect the vulnerabilities of small island developing countries. Failure to do so, he warned, could leave millions of people in these nations vulnerable to displacement and homelessness.
President Dr. Muizzu also showcased Maldives' proactive measures in adapting to climate change, citing initiatives like the environmentally sustainable Hulhumale' project and the groundbreaking Rasmale' eco-city development.
Despite these efforts, President Dr. Muizzu emphasised the critical need for increased financial assistance from climate funds to overcome barriers to implementing such projects.
Looking ahead, President Dr. Muizzu announced Maldives' intention to propose a multi-dimensional vulnerability index at the upcoming 4th international conference of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). This index aims to accurately assess climate change risks faced by countries, thereby facilitating access to funding for vital projects.
President Dr. Muizzu underscored the indispensable role of international financial institutions and affluent nations in addressing the urgent climate crisis. Without prompt action, he warned, the lives and livelihoods of 65 million people in small island countries would remain perilously at risk.