Ref: 2025/PR/292
The Maldives hosted a high-level side event titled “Decade of Paris Agreement: The Maldives’ Climate Action and Partnerships for Resilience” today, during the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The event brought together government representatives, development partners, and international experts to showcase the country’s progress since the adoption of the Paris Agreement.
The session was opened by Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim, who provided an overview of the nation’s climate policy evolution over the past decade. The statement highlighted the submission of the Maldives’ third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) in February 2025, which outlines an ambitious conditional emissions reduction target of 1.52 million tonnes of CO₂ by 2035 and strategies to strengthen resilience in key sectors such as energy, transport, and waste.
A panel discussion moderated by Dr. Pablo Viera, Global Director of NDC Partnership Support Unit was held. The panel consisted of Nakamura Ryo, Assistant Minister, Director General for Global Issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Rabab Fatima, Under Secretary-General and High Representative, Office of the High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS, Kanni Wignaraja, Assistance Secretary-General, UNDP 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 and Jamil Ahmad, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, UNEP. Panellists explored how sustained partnerships have supported the implementation of national climate strategies, shared lessons learned, and discussed opportunities to enhance cooperation, finance, and technology transfer for small island developing states.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, delivered the closing remarks at the side event. In his remarks, he underlined that partnerships are the backbone of the Maldives’ climate progress, turning the Paris Agreement into a promise of action rather than aspiration. He emphasised that the Maldives’ third NDC depends on predictable access to finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building support. Minister Dr. Khaleel also called for renewed international solidarity to ensure the next decade is defined by implementation and scaled-up support.
The event highlighted the Maldives’ role as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) during the Paris Agreement negotiations and emphasised the importance of long-term collaboration in advancing climate resilience and equitable action for vulnerable nations.
ENDS