Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim has disclosed that this year's COP Summit is set to feature the most side events of Maldives. The 29th COP summit, the foremost international conference on climate change, will take place from November 11 to 22 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Minister Thoriq said that the Maldives will play a significant role in this year's COP summit, hosting four side events currently in preparation. These include a collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on renewable energy and a side event focused on "Sustainable Coral Reef Management," emphasizing the importance of reef protection as the chair of the Atolls Nation at COP. He also mentioned plans for an event advocating for funding for the Loss and Damage Fund, as well as launching the Maldives' bi-annual transparency report.
Before the summit, the government aim to hold a special event to gather insights from Maldivian youth on environmental issues. The feedback from this meeting will be used to prepare a statement representing the youth of the Maldives.
A senior delegation from the Maldives is expected to attend the COP summit, although details have not yet been disclosed by the government. Last year, the COP-28 meeting in Dubai saw participation from the President and a senior delegation from the Maldives.