The Republic of Maldives convened a high-level side event today titled “Decade of Paris Agreement: The Maldives’ Climate Action and Partnerships for Resilience”, during the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The event brought together senior government officials, development partners, and international climate experts to highlight the Maldives’ progress since the adoption of the Paris Agreement and to explore pathways for enhanced global cooperation.
Opening the session, Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim outlined the evolution of the Maldives’ climate policy over the past decade. He spotlighted the submission of the country’s third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) in February 2025, which sets forth an ambitious conditional emissions reduction target of 1.52 million tonnes of CO₂ by 2035. The strategy also includes resilience-building measures across critical sectors such as energy, transport, and waste management.
A panel discussion moderated by Dr Pablo Viera, Global Director of the NDC Partnership Support Unit, featured distinguished speakers including:
- Nakamura Ryo, Assistant Minister, Director General for Global Issues, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- Rabab Fatima, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS
- Kanni Wignaraja, UNDP Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific
- Allesandro Guerri, Director General, Ministry of Environment and Energy Security of Italy
- Dr Charles Ehrhart, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer, Green Climate Fund
- Jamil Ahmad, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, UNEP
The panel examined the role of sustained partnerships in implementing national climate strategies, shared lessons learned, and discussed opportunities for enhanced cooperation, financing, and technology transfer—particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdulla Khaleel delivered the closing remarks, emphasising that partnerships are the backbone of the Maldives’ climate journey. He stated that the country’s third NDC hinges on predictable access to finance, technology, and capacity-building support. Dr Khaleel also called for renewed international solidarity to ensure the next decade is defined by action and scaled-up support.
The event reaffirmed the Maldives’ leadership as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) during the Paris Agreement negotiations. It underscored the importance of long-term collaboration in advancing climate resilience and equitable action for vulnerable nations.
