VP Naseem: Insufficient action by international community to slow down climate threats

Vice President Faisal Naseem on Tuesday stated that insufficient action was taken by the international community to slow down the onset of climate change threats.

He said this during his keynote address at the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and Vulnerable Group of 20 (V20) event held on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27).

Speaking about the threats and drastic impacts of climate change on the Maldives and other climate-vulnerable nations, he stressed that the countries' exposure to the slow onset of climate threats was bound to increase due to insufficient action from the international community.

Moreover, the Vice President asked for the support and assistance of the international community for the Maldives to realize the goals outlined in its Climate Prosperity Plan (CPP).

"We, therefore, gather here today as climate-vulnerable nations fighting for survival, pleading for more than mere survival."

"Our nations deserve to thrive. They deserve to tap into prosperity and abundance and to guarantee the greatest well-being for our people," he added.

Additionally, VP Naseem said that Maldives' CPPs serve as investment instruments and plans for raising the funds required for ambitious climate action.

Speaking more in this regard he noted that the prosperity plan is about turning this challenge into an opportunity for growth, health, and development.

He stated that the Maldives' CPP details a strategy to manage sea level rise and not only preserve but also rebound biodiversity, including the highly threatened coral reefs of the Maldives.

Moreover, he said the CPP would help the Maldives advance on an integrated energy system to scale up the renewable energy transition in the country rapidly.

The Vice President further said that a successful transition to a prosperity pathway would call for a full-economy strategy that includes the contributions of all stakeholders.

Announcing that the Maldives anticipates the completion of its CPP in the coming months, the Vice President stressed the necessity for complete cooperation and the full concessional finance envelope at disposal to ensure this happens.