President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has emphasised that the threat of climate change affects all nations, not just the Maldives. He made the remarks at a meeting held alongside the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Antigua and Barbuda.
Speaking at the event titled "From Ambitions to Practice: Advancing SIDS4 Goals through the CSR Initiative," President Dr. Muizzu shared his vision for the Maldives, highlighting his commitment to building a society resilient to various challenges, including climate change. He noted that addressing climate change damage is a key part of these efforts.
Additionally, President Dr. Muizzu reiterated his longstanding appeal to the international community for assistance in combating climate change, stressing that the threat is a global concern. He called for tangible actions to demonstrate efforts in tackling climate change and expressed optimism about the international community's willingness to help find solutions. He also pointed out that scientists believe the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is becoming increasingly unattainable, posing a significant threat to small island nations like the Maldives.
Furthermore, President Muizzu highlighted the Maldives' leadership in launching the Climate Smart Resilient Islands (CSRI) initiative, aimed at urgently addressing climate issues. He stated that if successful, the CSRI initiative would offer a comprehensive solution to mitigate climate risks and urged other SIDS countries to join the initiative.
In conclusion, President Muizzu renewed his hope that through collective effort, small island nations can navigate towards safety, ending his address with a call for unity and cooperation among SIDS countries.