FM Shahid reiterates call to scale up ambition to tackle climate change, through enhanced NDCs

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.

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.

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.

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.