The Edition
facebook icon twitter icon instagram icon linkedin icon

Latest

Foreign minister participates in ministerial-level climate event

Fathmath Shaahunaz
26 September 2019, MVT 13:05
Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid participates in a ministerial-level meeting on climate and security, organised by the Group of Friends on Climate and Security. PHOTO/FOREIGN MINISTRY
Fathmath Shaahunaz
26 September 2019, MVT 13:05

Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid participated in a ministerial-level meeting on climate and security, organised by the Group of Friends on Climate and Security, on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Speaking at the meeting, the minister highlighted the correlation between climate change and security, noting that the significantly vulnerable Maldives would suffer from loss of jobs, territory and livelihoods.

He also noted the efforts of the Maldivian government to ensure that the commitments under the Paris Agreement remain on track, while striving to achieve the country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The minister reiterated President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s announcement at the UNGA, of the ambitious plan of Maldives to phase out single-use plastics by the year 2023.

In his remarks, the minister further commended the Group of Friends' endeavours in raising the issue of climate change and its threats to global peace and security within the United Nations and, as a result, gaining wider acknowledgement from the international community.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Shahid co-signed a joint position requesting the UN Secretary-General to provide regular reporting on climate-related security risks to member states and recommended actions to take.

Formed on August 1, 2018, the Group of Friends on Climate and Security currently has 27 member states, united in the cooperation and development of solutions for the impact of climate change on security policy, raising of public awareness, and boosting UN involvement in this area.

MORE ON NEWS