The Maldives has called for climate adaptation financing to become more accessible and responsive to the needs of vulnerable nations, as the country continues to link housing, urban planning, and population distribution to long-term climate resilience.
Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Abdulla Mutthalib raised the issue during engagements with UN-Habitat, the World Bank, and international partners at the 13th World Urban Forum in Baku, held under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.”
According to Minister Mutthalib, discussions focused on the Maldives’ priorities and challenges in climate adaptation, housing, and sustainable urban development. He said the Maldives highlighted the need for financing mechanisms that are available at the scale required by vulnerable nations.
The Minister also held a bilateral meeting with Anacláudia Rossbach, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat.
During the discussions, Minister Mutthalib advocated for voluntary population consolidation to be recognised as a climate adaptation measure. The issue is particularly relevant for the Maldives, where dispersed island communities face high costs in delivering infrastructure, services, and climate-resilient housing across multiple locations.
He also described housing as essential resilience infrastructure for Small Island Developing States, placing the issue within the wider debate on how vulnerable countries can adapt to rising climate risks while managing urban development pressures.
The Maldives has increasingly framed housing and urban development as part of its climate adaptation agenda, particularly as small island states seek international support for infrastructure that can withstand environmental and economic pressures.
