The Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, Ali Shareef met with Green Climate Fund (GCF) Executive Director Mafalda Duarte on the sidelines of the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.
The high-level discussions centred primarily on bolstering international support for the Maldives’ ambitious climate action initiatives. Minister Ali Shareef and Duarte exchanged extensive views on streamlining mechanisms to facilitate easier, more efficient access to climate finance through the GCF, a critical lifeline for low-lying island nations facing the escalating threats of sea-level rise and environmental degradation.
The bilateral talks took place during the 2026 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings, hosted in Bangkok, Thailand, from 12 to 18 October. Marking a historic milestone, this year's event represents the first time in 35 years that Thailand has hosted the prestigious global gatherings.
The event will see critical dialogues on global economic growth, financial stability, poverty eradication, digital finance cybersecurity, and the workforce impacts of artificial intelligence.