President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has returned to the Maldives following his participation in the High-Level Session and the Antalya Leaders' Summit at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The President, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a Maldivian delegation attended the Conference, which commenced on 10 November under the theme Towards a Sustainable, Resilient and Equitable Future.
Delivering the Maldives' National Statement, President Dr Muizzu called on the international community to honour its climate commitments, reform the international financial architecture and translate political pledges into measurable progress. He also advocated for reforms that better recognise the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
During the visit, the President participated in several high-level roundtable discussions on key climate-related issues, highlighting the challenges facing vulnerable island nations and calling for stronger international support.
The First Lady also participated in the High-Level Meeting of the Global Zero Waste Alliance. In her remarks, she highlighted the harmful effects of marine litter on coral reefs, marine life and the food chain, stressing that waste does not simply disappear once discarded.
The President and First Lady also held meetings with several heads of state, leaders of international organisations and prominent figures in climate advocacy on the sidelines of the Conference.
The summit brought together world leaders to strengthen international cooperation and collective action on climate change, with key discussions focusing on the transition to clean energy, global electrification, climate finance and urban adaptation. President Dr Muizzu also attended COP28 in 2023 and COP29 in 2024, reflecting the Administration's continued engagement in international climate discussions and its commitment to climate advocacy.
