Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has reiterated the call to scale up ambition to tackle climate change, by submitting stronger and more enhanced Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) as well as reducing emissions to keep the global temperature rise within 1.5 degrees.
He made these remarks during the Virtual Vulnerable Forum (CVF) leaders’ event, on the sidelines of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, on Wednesday.
Chaired by Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and co-hosted with the Global Centre on Adaptation, the Secretariat of CVF, the event revolved around the urgency for ambitious action for all countries to submit stronger and “more enhanced” NDCs before the end of the ongoing year.
It also shed light on the need to ensure that climate resilience is integrated into the Covid-19 pandemic response and recovery and promote the strengthening of adaptation to climate shocks.
FM Shahid noted that the outcome of the “timely and important” event must be bolder and more ambitious.
“Emphasized that action is required by all countries” and we expressed “our determination, as vulnerable States, to demonstrate leadership on climate change”. This was the message echoed by the world’s most vulnerable countries at the first Climate Vulnerable Forum in Male’, from where I join you all today. Eleven years later, we renew our call for scaled up ambition to tackle climate change by submitting stronger and more enhanced NDCs, and reducing emissions to keep the global temperature increase within 1.5 degrees. The outcome of this timely and important event must be bolder, and more ambitious climate action"Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The minister stressed that the Covid-19 outbreak has halted the progress made in the Decade of Action in achieving SDGs and fulfilling commitments in the Paris Agreement. The pandemic has also “crippled our economies”, “magnified vulnerabilities” and affected the ability to tackle the climate emergency.
The road ahead, is long and difficult, said Shahid.
Highlighting that Maldives has continuously emphasized climate change as an “immediate existential threat” to small island states and coastal communities, Shahid stated that sea-level rise, unpredictable weather and other environmental phenomena caused by human activity will “seal our country’s fate to that of the history books”.
This is our lived reality and unacceptable, said the minister.
Despite our sincere efforts, or forceful moral example, we simply cannot do this alone. Climate change does not recognize borders and does not discriminate. As we look forward to COP 26 in Glasgow next year, we must continue to walk the talk. We, in the CVF, continue to stand out due to our willingness to match our words with meaningful action, despite our many limitations. The time to do better has long passed and the time for more ambitious action is right now. However, this ambition can only be realized with access to adequate, predictable and sustainable finance. The share of this finance is far too less for the most vulnerable communities to climate change. This needs to change for the better"Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Shahid went on to stress that the shared responsibility in ensuring the future generations inherit a habitable planet must be upheld despite the many differences.
The minister expressed confidence that the CVF will play an important role in ensuring hopes and dreams for a better world are realized.
In conclusion Shahid reiterated President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s words, “we are asking you to do better, to do more”.
During the event, Shahid also congratulated the Bangladeshi PM for assuming the role of the CVF chair and stated that the vast experience and exemplary leadership of Bangladesh on climate-related issues would be invaluable in advancing the work of this important Forum.
He also congratulated former president and parliament speaker Mohamed Nasheed upon his appointment as the CVF thematic ambassador for ambition.
The Government of Maldives is delighted and proud to see such an eminent personality from the Maldives being appointed to this high post. We have no doubt that, given his leadership on climate change issues globally, he would be able to bring much needed impetus to the work of this Forum"Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Wednesday’s event featured live interventions and video statements by CVF heads of state and government, ministers, CVF thematic ambassadors including Nasheed, as well as key partners. Initiated by the Maldivian government before the 2009 UN Climate Change Conference (COP 15) held in Copenhagen, Denmark, CVF remains a unique forum designed to amplify the voice of approximately 48 climate-vulnerable nations, globally.
