The Maldives has called on the Group of 77 and China to unite and push for greater climate action and climate finance.
Delivering the Maldives statement at the Third South Summit of the Group of 77 and China, Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef expressed the need for access to funds to be simplified and the consideration of measures beyond GDP per capita. The Vice President emphasised the leverage acquired in promoting the shared interests of member nations in the international arena, through the common positions by the Group of 77 and China.
Additionally, Vice President Latheef stressed the urgency of scaling up climate finance, especially on adaptation. He underscored that the group's unity was crucial to operationalising the Loss and Damage Fund during the Twenty-Eighth Session of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28). He further expressed hope that the fund would assist those most in need and that partners in the developed world would generously contribute to the fund.
Furthermore, Vice President Latheef spoke of the plight of the Palestinian people. He reiterated the Maldives’ strong condemnation of the aggression by the Israeli forces and reaffirmed continuous advocacy on the matter until the global community finds a solution.