Sustainable investments must deliver measurable environmental benefits while also generating financially viable returns, Chief Executive Officer of the Maldives Pension Administration Office, Yazmeed Mohamed, has said, as the 13th Maldives Finance Forum opened with a strong focus on green finance, sustainable investment and long-term financial security.
The annual forum, organised by the Maldives Pension Administration Office under the theme “Green Finance: Sustainable Investment and Financial Security in the Maldives”, brings together policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, investors and local and international experts to examine how sustainable capital can support the continued development of the Maldivian economy and financial sector.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Yazmeed said climate change presents significant economic and financial risks to the Maldives, where around 80 per cent of islands are located at low elevations above sea level. He noted that climate-related pressures can affect household incomes, businesses, investments and the wider financial system, making the development of effective green financing mechanisms increasingly important for the country’s future resilience.
He stressed that sustainable investment should not be treated merely as a label, but should be backed by transparent standards, measurable environmental outcomes and sound financial fundamentals. Investments that fail to meet clear standards, he warned, could create opportunities for greenwashing and weaken investor confidence.
Yazmeed said the Maldives Pension Administration Office is continuing efforts to strengthen domestic investments and diversify its portfolio while exploring opportunities that incorporate environmental, social and governance principles and climate financing initiatives. He emphasised that financial integrity, strong governance and investor confidence must remain central to any sustainable investment strategy.
The Maldives Retirement Pension Scheme has grown into one of the country’s most significant pools of long-term capital. The fund reached approximately USD 1.97 billion by the end of September 2026, with 204,549 participants enrolled in the scheme, making the Pension Administration Office the largest institutional investor in the Maldives. Yazmeed said investment decisions taken today therefore have a direct impact on the future financial security of members and the long-term strength of the national retirement system.
The forum is also examining how green finance can broaden investment opportunities, strengthen the domestic capital market and attract sustainable financing into sectors that can support economic resilience. Discussions are expected to explore practical financing solutions, policy considerations and investment structures capable of supporting climate-conscious development while maintaining commercially sustainable returns.
The Pension Administration Office said developing a resilient economy and expanding the national investment market are closely aligned with its responsibility to manage retirement savings over the long term. A stronger sustainable finance ecosystem could also provide investors with new opportunities while supporting national development priorities and improving the Maldives’ ability to respond to climate-related economic challenges.
Yazmeed said the forum aims to move beyond policy discussions and identify practical solutions and financial resources that can advance green finance in the Maldives over the next two to three years. He expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between public institutions, regulators, financial institutions and investors can translate sustainable finance ambitions into tangible economic and environmental outcomes.
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