President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has shared the critical threats posed by rising sea levels, particularly to coastal nations like the Maldives. Speaking during the session on "Livelihoods, Socio-Economic Challenges, and Culture and Heritage in Relation to Sea-Level Rise," Dr. Muizzu underscored the far-reaching impacts of climate change, describing it as a hidden menace that jeopardizes shorelines, communities, cultures, and survival.
President Dr. Muizzu emphasised that sea-level rise is a significant concern for the Maldives, where 80% of the islands stand less than one meter above sea level, and nearly half of the population lives within 100 meters of the coastline. Despite the Maldives raising concerns as early as 1987, the situation has only worsened over the years, threatening food security, economic stability, and potentially forcing migration. He made it clear that no Maldivian would willingly abandon their homeland and expressed determination to protect the islands, believing they will persevere.
In his address, Dr. Muizzu urged world leaders to adopt a broader perspective on the issue. He highlighted the need for economic diversification, explaining that it is not enough to simply protect coastlines, but vital to safeguard the livelihoods of communities who have long depended on the ocean. He also stressed that, as countries pursue economic resilience, it is crucial to protect cultural identity. He called for the implementation of robust policies, the provision of resources, and the development of resilient infrastructure to preserve the heritage of coastal communities. For him, safeguarding cultural identity requires more than rhetoric; it demands concrete action.
Dr. Muizzu also noted that sea-level rise is a global issue, not one caused by any single country. He stressed that the burden of addressing this crisis should not fall on individual nations alone and called on the United Nations to use this high-level meeting as a springboard for further discussions and actions.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Muizzu called for tangible outcomes from the meeting, questioning the purpose of such dialogues if they do not result in decisive action. His address underscored the Maldives' long-standing commitment to climate justice and its call for urgent global action.