Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef has highlighted the Maldives’ climate resilience, sustainable development and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) priorities during a high-level meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York.
During the meeting, the Vice President emphasised that climate change remains an everyday reality for the Maldives, with its effects continuing to influence the country’s development. He expressed appreciation for Secretary-General Guterres’ continued advocacy on climate action and his attention to the particular challenges faced by SIDS.
The Vice President outlined several key priorities being advanced by the Maldives at UNGA 81, including strengthening climate resilience, addressing debt sustainability, implementing the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), advancing the wider priorities of small island states and supporting meaningful reform of the United Nations.
The discussions reflected the Maldives’ continued engagement in international forums to ensure that the development challenges of vulnerable island nations remain prominent in the global agenda. For the Maldives, greater access to climate finance, sustainable development opportunities and international cooperation remain closely connected to building long-term resilience against environmental and economic pressures.
Secretary-General Guterres expressed solidarity with the Maldives and acknowledged the challenges the country faces as a result of climate change. He reiterated the United Nations’ commitment to promoting more ambitious global climate action and to working with the Maldives in addressing the impacts of climate change.
The Vice President and the Secretary-General also exchanged views on recent developments of concern in the region, including the situation in Palestine. The meeting formed part of the Maldives’ high-level engagements during UNGA 81, where the country is advancing its priorities on climate action, sustainable development and the interests of SIDS.
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