New York, 23 November 2016; The Maldives has highlighted the unique challenges and vulnerabilities that Small Island States face in dealing with water security at the United Nations Security Council.
While speaking at the Council's open debate on water, peace and security, Ambassador Ahmed Sareer, the Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations indicated how the traditional freshwater sources have been compromised in the Maldives due to rising population, increased urbanization and environmental pollution.
The Maldives also shared experiences of how this is being addressed domestically through compensatory practices and proactive responses to the situation. This includes the development of robust national mechanisms to deal with demand spikes or supply shortages, regional and international cooperation, and dealing with the root causes of water shortages such as pollution and climate change, in line with the objectives of the 2030 sustainable development agenda.
