President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, has warned that climate change poses an existential threat to low lying island nations, calling for urgent and fair global action during a keynote address at Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin in Berlin, Germany.
The President’s address was directed at academics and students at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. In his address, the president told the audience that countries like the Maldives, which contribute only a negligible share of global greenhouse gas emissions, are among those suffering the most severe impacts of climate change.
Describing climate adaptation as a matter of survival rather than choice, the President said the future of the Maldivian nation, including its culture, identity and sovereignty depends on decisive international action.
President Muizzu stressed the need for climate risks to be fully integrated into national planning and budgeting, guided by scientific evidence. He called for a significant scaling-up of climate finance to support adaptation, arguing that such funding should be predictable, adequate and concessional. He framed adaptation financing as an issue of climate justice, saying countries bearing the greatest risks must not be left to shoulder the burden alone.
Drawing on the Maldives’ own experience, the President warned that delaying adaptation only increases long-term costs. He highlighted the role of local communities as agents of change and pointed to coral reefs, mangroves and other natural ecosystems as some of the most effective and affordable defences against climate impacts. He added that adaptation efforts must go hand in hand with sustainable development.
Addressing the role of academia, President Muizzu said institutions such as Humboldt University are critical in bridging science and policymaking, amplifying the voices of vulnerable nations, and countering misinformation on climate change. He said a crisis without borders requires knowledge without borders.
During a question-and-answer session, the President also spoke about sustainable tourism and energy transition efforts in the Maldives. He urged stronger collaboration among Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and called on major emitting countries to provide greater mitigation and adaptation support to those most at risk.