In his remarks, President Muizzu stressed the need for an immediate increase in adaptation finance, urging the international community to address the imbalance between mitigation and adaptation efforts.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has called for urgent, coordinated action to tackle climate change and rising sea levels during his address at the Plenary of the High-Level Meeting on Sea Level Rise, held as part of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In his remarks, President Muizzu stressed the need for an immediate increase in adaptation finance, urging the international community to address the imbalance between mitigation and adaptation efforts.
He also called for simplified access to climate funds and advocated for integrating the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) into global financing frameworks.
The president emphasized the importance of fully implementing the Loss and Damage Fund to support vulnerable nations like the Maldives, which face severe climate-related disasters. He said that it is the moral responsibility of advanced economies to facilitate technology transfer to SIDS and developing countries on favorable terms, enhancing the effectiveness of climate action.
Muizzu highlighted the necessity of building the adaptive capacity of vulnerable coastal communities and low-lying island states and called for greater private sector involvement to boost technological capacity.
He said that the Maldives has had to allocate a significant portion of its budget, which could have been used for other development projects, towards climate response due to the nation’s ongoing efforts and commitment to survival.
"No Maldivian would willingly leave their homeland," President Muizzu affirmed, stressing the nation's determination to protect its islands.
Speaking at the session titled "Livelihoods, Socio-Economic Challenges, and Culture and Heritage in Relation to Sea-Level Rise," President Muizzu urged the global community to recognize the complex impacts of rising sea levels.
He highlighted the need to diversify economies and protect sustainable ocean-based livelihoods, the importance of preserving identity, culture, and heritage by empowering communities, especially women and youth, and the necessity for a global approach to sea level rise, as no single nation can bear the burden alone.
The president also noted that over USD 65 million had been spent on fuel imports in the first quarter of this year alone, and called for decisive action, stating that future generations deserve a secure future for their livelihoods and cultures.
President Muizzu also announced the Maldives' initiative to optimize ocean current energy and explore novel renewable energy solutions, inviting investors to explore these opportunities.
“Investing in renewable energy in the Maldives is a profitable business opportunity,” he said.
He highlighted that the Maldives' renewable energy capacity has increased from 53 to 68 megawatts since COP28, outlining plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030 through investments in solar, wind, and other renewables.
These plans include expanding solar installations and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
To meet these targets, President Muizzu noted that the Maldives has operationalized a waste-to-energy system in Addu City, is adding a 13-megawatt system in Thilafushi, and is developing low-carbon transportation systems powered by renewable energy.
He also outlined plans to transition 35 percent of the fishing industry’s energy needs to renewable sources.
“The Maldives' fishing industry is already one of the most sustainable in the world. Our pole-and-line tuna fishing method, with virtually zero bycatch, causes no harm to endangered or protected species. We aim to maintain our position as a leader in sustainable fishing,” the President said.
“Reducing carbon emissions will further increase the sustainability of our fishing industry.”
President Muizzu urged for affordable climate finance, calling for the New Collective Quantified Goal to ensure easy access and quick disbursement for mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage, while staying aligned with the 1.5-degree Celsius target.
President Muizzu said that by emphasizing that the renewable energy transition not only enhances climate resilience but also strengthens economies and fosters resilient societies.
He expressed hope that the Maldives’ efforts would inspire other nations to advance their renewable energy initiatives.
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