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Maldives Showcases Climate Leadership at UNGA80 and New York Climate Week

29 Sep 2025

Minister of Tourism and Environment H.E. Thoriq Ibrahim represented the Maldives at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) and New York Climate Week, where he participated in high-level events advancing the global climate agenda and highlighting the leadership of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

At the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit 2025, Minister Thoriq emphasized the urgency of this “decade of ambition and action” as countries submit their third round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). He highlighted the Maldives’ climate leadership as one of the first countries to submit its third NDC in February 2025, outlining ambitious mitigation targets such as achieving 33% renewable electricity by 2028, promoting cleaner mobility, and strengthening waste management systems.

The Minister underscored the importance of adaptation support for SIDS, noting the Maldives’ extreme vulnerability to rising sea levels and climate impacts on food and water security. He further stressed the urgent need for accessible, fast, and flexible climate finance that responds to the capacity challenges faced by small island nations.

During UNGA80, the Ministry also hosted a high-level side event titled “Decade of the Paris Agreement: Maldives’ Climate Action and Partnerships for Resilience” which showcased the country’s climate ambition, resilience-building initiatives, and opportunities for international partnerships.

Minister Thoriq also spoke at the High-Level Event on Loss and Damage, co-organized by the Government of the Philippines and the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. He called for targeted support for SIDS, including direct budgetary support, and urged stronger contributions to the Fund in the lead-up to COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

In addition, he took part in multiple ministerial meetings and side events, including the Climate Solutions Dialogues under the UN Secretary General’s Climate Action Summit, High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, the Climate Vulnerable Forum Leaders’ Meeting, and AOSIS Leaders’ Meeting.

The Maldives’ participation in these events reaffirmed its role as a frontline nation and climate champion, carrying forward its long history of advocacy since the Male’ Declaration of 1989, while advancing ambitious domestic climate action and calling for stronger global support to translate ambition into results.