Emphasizing that small island developing states such as the Maldives suffer the most from climate changes despite emitting the least, Minister Zameer urged the world to address the challenges in accessing climate funding and expedite the procedure.
Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer has called on the world to expedite climate funding and emphasized that despite the significant impact of climate change on the Maldives, the country's determination will not waver.
Speaking at a panel discussion about climate financing held on the sidelines of the Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Minister Zameer mentioned that it is challenging to convince banks and private sectors that an island country like the Maldives, with only half a million population, will benefit from environmentally friendly, renewable energy projects.
Hence, he stated that the standards for evaluating the benefits of such projects in countries like the Maldives need to be revised.
“We are always being told to prove if these projects will be beneficial. This cannot be done.” Zameer said.
Highlighting the frequency of strong flash floods caused by heavy rain, he said that the country is compelled to use state funds reserved for the construction of schools and hospitals to overcome such natural disasters.
"We are not going to let the climate crisis deter us, nor dampen our spirits. We are committed to doing our part. And we are not going to simply pack up and leave our homes. Our islands have been our homes for the past 4000 years," Minister Zameer said.
Small Island Developing States, like #Maldives, emit the least, but suffer the most. We contribute just 0.003% of global carbon emissions.
— Moosa Zameer (@MoosaZameer) February 16, 2024
We must come together to ensure that climate vulnerable countries like ours receive adequate funding on time.
Every one dollar we spend… https://t.co/gcbddtFvKL
The Minister stated that Maldivian islands will be constructed based on the safe island concept, two to three meters above sea level. The installation of renewable energy systems, aimed at meeting 33 percent of the country's planned electricity demand, requires funding.
He had also urged the simplification of accessibility to global climate financing and the facilitation of expedited fund provision.
“We must come together to ensure that climate vulnerable countries like ours receive adequate funding on time,” He said.
“Every one dollar we spend today, is 15 dollars we save tomorrow.”
In addition to Minister Zameer, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, the Climate Envoy for the US, John Kerry, and the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, also attended the Security Conference and spoke at last night's panel.
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