President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has called on richer nations to work towards accomplishing climate pledges amid growing adaptation funding gap.
He made these remarks while delivering his speech at the General Debate of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Addressing the gathering, President Muizzu stressed that climate change is the most serious threat facing the globe presently and poses a great challenge for the generations to come.
Stressing that climate change is washing away decades of progress in mere minutes and diverting already depleted resources of long-term development to emergency relief and reconstruction, Muizzu noted that this in turn prevents countries from adapting to climate impact.
Highlighting that Maldives has always walked the talk, Muizzu noted that the island nation is investing in renewable energy and that the goal is to have 33 percent of the island nation’s electricity demand from renewable energy sources by 2028.
On behalf of the Maldivian people, I implore you. Do your part. Act now. We must face the climate emergency head-on. With science, determination, and resources. The rich and emitting countries need to meet the financial pledges already made – especially on adaptation, where the financing gap continues to widen. As we work towards COP29, we must ensure the new goal on climate finance matches the level of climate action required. This means: The new goal must go beyond 100 billion dollars. It must include, as a minimum, loss and damage response, mitigation, and adaptation, as sub-goals.”Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives.
The Maldivian leader went on to note that the ocean is one of the biggest victims of the climate crisis, stating that Maldivians and their livelihoods greatly depend on the health and wealth of the ocean.
With this, he urged to step up efforts to sustainably use and manage ocean resources, address plastic pollution, conserve biodiversity and protect endangered species.
Shedding light on the Global Ocean Treaty he ratified as part of his ongoing visit to the states to attend the UNGA session, President Muizzu urged the other nations to do the same and to do their part to address climate change, overcome pollution, and reverse biodiversity loss.
Further, the Maldivian president stressed that the transformation Maldives seeks cannot be achieved without enabling global environment and added that small countries like Maldives require a multilateral system that champions them and delivers for them.
Highlighting that the UN is the epitome of the multilateral system, Muizzu said that the UN is well-positioned to promote sustainable development, maintain peace and security, promote and protect human rights, enforce equality, the rule of law, inclusivity as well as representativeness.
However, the Maldivian leader stressed that the globe is currently witnessing the opposite including the inability to stop climate change and environmental degradation, stop war and genocide, stop exploitation and suffering as well as unequal representation.
President Muizzu asserted that the UN requires reform and revitalization and needs to be representative.
Touching upon the multilateral system, Muizzu stressed that the island nation shouldn’t have to watch and stand idly as it fails. This he said, is because the development, advancement and survival of Maldives is chained to the globe.
This, he said, is why the Maldives is seeking to get elected to the Economic and Social Council for the 2027 to 2029 term.
Muizzu said that the Maldives will strive to make the UN development system more relevant to the present times, if elected.
Further, Muizzu urged the UN to enforce its decisions across the UN system, and at the local level, adding that the UN is only relevant when it makes a real difference in lives.
The Maldivian leader went on to note that as its first port, Maldives reached out to the UN 59 years ago, in a sea of uncertainty, and sought recognition and a partner in the great UN hall.
We came to you, as a poor, and impoverished country. But with a vision for prosperity. A vision which we made great progress– with your support. Today, once again, we come to you, aiming higher, to reach further, and do better. With a vision to make the Maldives a developed nation by 2040. For I believe development is destiny. And our destiny beckons, towards a brighter future. For the present, and future generations.”Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives.
The Maldivian president went on to express his desire to see Maldives as a full-fledged developed nation that exemplifies sustainability and democratic governance, by 2040, one that commands respect, is relevant, and one that embodies resilience with a society that is inclusive and just.
Stressing that becoming a developed nation may seem like a daunting task, and a distant possibility, Muizzu confidently revealed that it is achievable with a goal in sight and a plan in hand. This, he said is because prevailing and even flourishing against formidable odds, is nothing new for the people of Maldives.
Shedding light on his belief that Maldives can become a developed country, Muizzu said the island nation can invest in its productive capacity, increase productivity, transform its economy into one that is fully digitized and driven by artificial intelligence and by leveraging its natural beauty and marine resources.
