Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has stated that developing nations must take a leading role in advancing climate action to pave the way for a prosperous future.

VP Latheef made the remarks while delivering the Maldives statement at the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Noting that climate change is not confined to geological borders, the Maldivian Vice President articulated that developing countries face the most impact due to their resource limitations.

VP Latheef stressed that the Non-Aligned Movement must do more to deepen cooperation and counter new and emerging threats. He reaffirmed that the Maldives has always believed in international cooperation and that unity in diversity has always been our biggest strength.

The Vice President further stated that humanity is at a crossroads. While acknowledging the unparalleled advancements by humankind with real, tangible progress making the world more prosperous, VP Latheef noted that it is also rife with conflict and calamity, societies enveloped by uncertainty, friction, and fear.

VP Latheef then spoke of the dire humanitarian crisis unravelling in Gaza, where thousands of innocent lives have been lost.

The Vice President reiterated that the Maldives strongly condemns the deliberate acts of aggression by the Israeli forces against innocent Palestinian civilians. He stated that these attacks are a flagrant violation of the Genocide Convention, applauding the application by South Africa before the International Court of Justice requesting to declare that Israel is in breach of the Genocide Convention.

The Maldivian Vice President also called for unity in intensifying calls for an immediate ceasefire and a permanent solution for peace, where a sovereign and independent State of Palestine is established based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Furthermore, VP Latheef stressed on the need to revitalize and reform the United Nations and its Security Council. He emphasized the role of the Non-Aligned Movement in ensuring a peaceful, stable, and prosperous future for all, stating the Non-Aligned Movement’s vital role in guaranteeing peace, shared affluence, prosperity, and security through international cooperation and integration.

The Maldivian Vice President noted that the movement must continue to adapt to the ever-changing global dynamics and make the world a place where hope triumphs over fear, peace triumphs over conflict, and resilience triumphs over vulnerability.

Vice President Latheef currently in Uganda to attend the 19th Summit of Non-Aligned Movement and the Third South Summit, organized under the framework of Group 77 and China, being held in Kampala, Uganda this week.