Former President, H. E. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has arrived back in the Maldives on Sunday evening, following an official visit to Samoa to attend the 3rd International Conference on Small Island Developing States. The former President attended the conference, which was held from 1 – 4 September, as a special envoy of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
Speaking to the local media on arrival at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, President Maumoon described his visit to Samoa as being very fruitful.
Noting that the challenges arising from climate change are not unique to small island developing states, President Maumoon focused on the key issues discussed at the conference. In this regard, the Former President noted that the member states had conferred on strategies through which international support could be attained for action against climate change. President Maumoon also highlighted that participating countries had discussed ways to resolve the environmental issues faced by small island nations.
Commenting on the lack of action following from previous such gatherings, the Former President stated that member states had agreed upon international mechanisms to ensure implementation of the resolutions passed during this year’s conference.
