On 28 April 2026, the Maldives participated in the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta, Colombia, and was represented by the State Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, H.E. Ibrahim Mimrah. Co-hosted by the governments of Colombia and the Netherlands, the Conference brought together countries and other stakeholders to advance practical pathways for a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels, in line with climate goals and the best available science.
In his national statement, State Minister Mimrah highlighted the challenges arising from the Maldives’ structural dependence on imported fuels, which exposes the country to volatility in global prices and supply disruptions, with direct impacts on economic stability and livelihoods. He emphasized, “Our challenge is not fossil fuel production; it is fossil fuel dependence.” He further stressed that transitioning to renewable energy will require transformation across the entire energy system, and that achieving renewable energy targets will depend on investment in key enablers, including modern grids, storage, energy management systems, decentralized solutions, and resilient infrastructure.

Access to finance remains one of the greatest barriers for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In this regard, the state minister called for concessional financing and, where possible, grant-based climate finance free from undue conditionalities and without adding to existing debt burdens. He emphasized that climate finance must support, not dictate, nationally determined transition pathways. Reaffirming the Maldives’ commitment to a just and inclusive energy transition, State Minister Mimrah called for enhanced international cooperation grounded in equity to ensure that no one is left behind.
On the sidelines of the Conference, the Maldivian delegation also held bilateral meetings with other countries to strengthen cooperation in support of the Maldives’ transition to a low-emission and climate-resilient future