The Maldives has outlined its key climate priorities at the High-Level Segment of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, where Special Envoy for Climate Change Ali Shareef delivered the country’s national statement on behalf of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
Addressing delegates, the Special Envoy expressed appreciation to the Government of Brazil for hosting the conference in the Amazon region. He noted that this year’s meeting falls during a period of global uncertainty and coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, a milestone that he said underscores the need to show that multilateral processes remain effective.
In his statement, Shareef observed that the gap between climate ambition and action continues to widen, despite years of negotiations. He pointed out that the world is not currently on track to limit warming to 1.5 degrees, a threshold of particular significance for low-lying nations such as the Maldives.
He referenced the Maldives’ submission of its enhanced Third Nationally Determined Contribution earlier this year, which outlines strengthened emissions-reduction measures and plans to protect climate-exposed sectors through 2035. He also stressed the importance of advancing the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance, reiterating that adaptation should be treated with the same level of urgency as mitigation.
The Special Envoy called for climate finance that is accessible, predictable and largely grant-based, noting that vulnerable countries require more reliable support to cope with intensifying impacts. He also reaffirmed the Maldives’ position that adaptation finance should be tripled by 2030.
Closing his remarks, Shareef highlighted the stakes for climate-vulnerable nations, stating that the negotiations are about protecting both present and future generations. He added that the Maldives remains prepared to take action and encouraged international partners to do the same.
Ali Shareef is leading the Maldives delegation at COP30, overseeing high-level participation and contributing to negotiations on the country’s behalf.
