New York – 21 April 2015 – H.E. Mr. Ahmed Sareer spoke today about the governance challenges related to climate change in the Maldives during the session on “Integrating adaptation in decision-making and policy development processes”.
The Maldives expressed that it believes that climate change is the 21st Century’s greatest development and security challenge. It is evident that the Maldives is among the most vulnerable and least defensible countries to the projected impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise and extreme climatic events. Therefore, climate change adaption must be a priority.
Mr. Sareer highlighted the Maldives National Adaptation Programme of Action and the institutionalizing of climate change in the Maldives. While the Maldives has taken great strides, the country faces many barriers and challenges. First and foremost on the high financial costs of adaptation projects and the fact that the Maldivian population is scattered across many islands, often with very low density, requiring actions in many different places. Therefore it is of utmost importance the international community will understand, to have supportive, effective international institutions.
Photo taken by the Divison for Public Administration and Development Management of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs
ENDS
