Maldives president at COP31 seeks justice and fulfillment of commitments

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu called in Antalya for a global system that enables small island developing states to choose their development partners. He urged developed countries to fulfill their climate finance pledges and reform the international financial architecture.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said on Wednesday, November 11, that small island states should have the right to choose their development partners. He made the remarks in his country's national statement during the high-level segment for heads of state and government at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye.

Muizzu added, according to Anadolu Agency: "We need a global system that enables small island developing states to determine their development partners. The Maldives does not seek sympathy; we call for justice, responsibility and action to fulfill obligations under international treaties and honor commitments."

الحوار رفيع المستوى حول التحول إلى الطاقة النظيفة والكهربة في كوب31

Call to reform the international financial architecture

The Maldivian president urged developed countries to fulfill their climate finance commitments and called for reforms to the international financial architecture that take into account the particular vulnerability of small island states. He also called on international financial institutions and credit-rating agencies to change how they assess climate investments, stressing the need for adequate financing, technology transfer and political commitment to turn pledges into measurable progress.

In another address during the high-level dialogue on the transition to clean energy and electrification, "35 by 35," Muizzu referred to his country's goal, announced in 2023, of generating 33% of its electricity from renewable sources. He said achieving it would require major investments in renewable generation and energy storage systems, according to the Maldivian presidency. At the "Early Warnings for All" event, he also stressed that strengthening early warning systems was a national priority for his country.

مشاركون في الحوار رفيع المستوى حول الطاقة النظيفة على هامش قمة القادة في كوب31

Voices from the Pacific

Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine called on developed countries to increase climate finance and triple adaptation funding to at least $120 billion annually by 2035, while facilitating island states' access to loss and damage funds. Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. said: "We are at war with a crisis we did not create, a war that will not be ended by a peace treaty, but only by urgent action."

Federated States of Micronesia President Wesley Simina also called for a rapid reduction in methane emissions and predictable climate finance that prioritizes freshwater security, coastal protection and resilient infrastructure.

Photos: Maldivian presidency. Sources: Anadolu Agency, Maldivian presidency.

Maldives president at COP31 seeks justice and fulfillment of commitments