The Government of Maldives has held formal discussions with senior officials from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as part of efforts to fortify environmental defences and accelerate the country’s shift to renewable energy.
Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim led the talks with Thiam Hee Ng, Regional Head of ADB, during which they explored ways to address the Maldives’ increasing vulnerability to climate change. The discussions also focused on expanding support for renewable energy development and infrastructure investment. Elisabetta Gentile, a senior economist at ADB, contributed economic perspectives drawn from the region, enriching the dialogue with comparative insights.
The Ministry of Environment noted that the Maldives’ precarious position as a low-lying island nation was a central point of the conversation. Rising sea levels and increasingly erratic weather patterns have made climate adaptation a pressing national priority. Minister Thoriq outlined current projects backed by ADB and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to scaling up renewable energy and resilience-building measures.
Waste management was also identified as a key challenge. The minister highlighted the logistical difficulties involved in managing waste across the Maldives’ widely dispersed islands, noting that these issues continue to hinder environmental progress despite ongoing efforts.
The ministry described the meeting as an important step towards deepening institutional ties with the ADB, with a view to enhancing both financial and technical cooperation on climate-related initiatives. Officials expressed optimism about future collaboration in areas such as resource mobilisation, infrastructure support, and capacity-building.
These discussions come at a time of growing environmental urgency for the Maldives, which remains among the countries most acutely threatened by climate change.
