His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu visited Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin on 11 February 2026 as part of his ongoing official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, reinforcing the Maldives’ commitment to advancing international dialogue on climate action and sustainable development. The President was received by Dr Yoan Vilain, Vice-Provost for International and European Affairs, and Professor Dr Marcel Robischon, Head of the Division of Agricultural Ecology at Humboldt-Universität, reflecting the importance of academic partnerships in shaping global responses to pressing environmental challenges.
During the visit, President Dr Muizzu delivered a keynote address highlighting the urgent need for a fair and collective global response to climate change that aligns responsibility with meaningful support. He emphasised that while countries such as the Maldives contribute negligible amounts to global greenhouse gas emissions, they are among those facing the most severe consequences of climate change. For the Maldives, he stated, adaptation is not a policy option but a matter of survival, directly linked to the protection of the nation’s sovereignty, cultural heritage, and identity.
The President underscored the importance of integrating climate risk into national planning and budgeting processes, guided firmly by climate science. He stressed the need to scale up finance mobilisation to deliver effective adaptation measures and called for predictable, adequate, and concessional climate finance for vulnerable nations. Describing adaptation financing as a matter of climate justice, he noted that countries bearing the greatest risks must receive reliable support to safeguard their people and economies. He further emphasised that adaptation efforts must be inclusive and community-driven, strengthened through enhanced local governance capacity to ensure resilience at the grassroots level.
Reflecting on the Maldives’ own experience, President Dr Muizzu shared key lessons learned from national adaptation initiatives. He observed that postponing adaptation multiplies future economic and social costs, placing additional burdens on small island nations. He also highlighted the vital role of communities as active agents of change and drew attention to the protective value of natural ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves, which remain among the most effective and affordable climate defences available. He stressed that adaptation and sustainable development must advance together, ensuring economic progress while protecting fragile island environments.
Addressing the critical role of international partnerships grounded in science, the President noted that academic institutions such as Humboldt-Universität play an essential role in bridging research and policymaking, amplifying the voices of vulnerable nations, training future leaders and experts, and safeguarding truth in an era of misinformation. He remarked that climate change transcends borders and therefore demands knowledge-sharing and cooperation that move beyond narrow national interests and short-term considerations.
During the subsequent question-and-answer session, President Dr Muizzu reiterated the responsibility of academia in countering misinformation on climate-related issues and encouraged academic institutions to mobilise political support within multilateral platforms in pursuit of climate justice. He also highlighted the Maldives’ efforts to promote sustainable tourism practices and accelerate its energy transition, underscoring the country’s proactive approach to balancing economic development with environmental stewardship. Emphasising solidarity among Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the President called for strengthened collaboration and enhanced mitigation and adaptation support from major emitters to ensure that the most climate-vulnerable nations can build a resilient and sustainable future.
The visit further demonstrated the Maldives’ constructive engagement with global academic and policy communities, reinforcing its voice as a leading advocate for equitable climate action and sustainable island development on the international stage.
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