As part of his on going official visit to Iceland, President Mohamed Nasheed has met with Iceland’s Minister for Environment Ms Svandís Svavarsdóttir, and Minister for Energy and Industry Ms Katrín Júlíusdóttír.
During the meetings held separately, the President and the Ministers discussed ways of increasing cooperation between the Maldives and Iceland in the areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation, and renewable energy.
The President also elaborated on the government’s plan to make the Maldives the first carbon neutral country, in its efforts to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. He also commended the active role Iceland is playing in environment and climate change issues. The President also expressed his wishes to learn from Iceland’s experiences in green technologies and renewable energy.
He also said Iceland is an example for other developing countries and the rest of the world in demonstrating that development could be achieved by adopting renewable and environmentally friendly technologies.
In the meeting with the Minister for Environment, the President highlighted the importance of formulating an operational plan for the Copenhagen Accord.
Meeting with Minister for Energy and Industry, the President discussed learning from the experience of Iceland in the field of geothermal energy. Discussion in the meeting also included ways of facilitating the exchange of experience between both countries in fishing.
The President also visited Hellisheði Geothermal Power Plant. During the visit, President Nasheed was also accompanied by President of Iceland Ólafur Grímsson.
At the Power Plant, the President was given information on the plant’s operations, geothermal energy, and other green technologies being used at the plant and elsewhere in Iceland.
Last night, the President also attended a dinner hosted by President Ólafur Grímsson in his honour.
