Speaking at the prestigious Honolulu International Forum (HIF), Vice President Uz. Hussain Mohamed Latheef reaffirmed the Maldives’ unwavering dedication to advancing the Blue Economy while urging the global community to reform international climate finance frameworks to better support small island developing states (SIDS).
Hosted by the Pacific Forum, the HIF brings together leading experts, policymakers, and practitioners from across the Indo-Pacific to explore key political, economic, and environmental challenges. The Vice President’s address at the Forum underlined the Maldives’ growing role as a vocal advocate for sustainable ocean governance and environmental resilience.
Reflecting on the Maldives’ unique relationship with the ocean, the Vice President emphasized the country’s vulnerability to intensifying climate impacts such as coral bleaching, rising sea levels, and increased storm activity. He praised the Pacific Forum’s longstanding contribution to policy development in the region and its efforts in promoting strategic dialogue and cooperation for over five decades.
Highlighting national initiatives, Vice President Latheef outlined how the Maldives is actively strengthening its Blue Economy through sustainable fisheries, marine biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem-based coastal management. He stressed that these efforts are central to both environmental preservation and the economic wellbeing of the Maldivian people.
However, he warned that meaningful progress cannot be achieved without fair and accessible climate financing. The Vice President called on the international community to rethink current aid eligibility criteria, urging a shift away from GDP-based models toward more holistic approaches that consider the specific vulnerabilities of SIDS. He advocated for the adoption of innovative financing mechanisms such as concessional finance, debt-for-climate swaps, and climate-resilient investment packages.
In his closing remarks, the Vice President underlined that the future of ocean-based economies depends on integrating climate finance into sustainable development strategies. He appealed for stronger international cooperation to ensure that nations like the Maldives are equipped with the resources and partnerships needed to protect marine ecosystems, strengthen livelihoods, and secure a resilient future for generations to come.
The participation of the Maldives in such high-level forums highlights its commitment to not only preserving its own fragile ecosystem but also contributing to global conversations on climate justice and sustainability. For visitors and international audiences, it reinforces the Maldives’ identity as a nation deeply rooted in ocean heritage, championing environmental integrity while remaining a world-renowned destination of natural beauty.
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