President says conserving the environment should be a fundamental step in preserving our nation and sovereignty

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that conserving the natural environment of the Maldives and safeguarding our natural resources should be considered one of the fundamental steps to safeguarding our nation and sovereignty. He made this statement tonight in his address to the nation at the special function held at the Republic Square to commemorate National Day 1443. President Solih underlined that the Maldivian economy and the livelihoods of the people are dependent upon restoring our environment to its natural state, calling on the public to rise up with renewed vigour to achieve this goal.

Delineating why conserving the environment is imperative to maintaining our sovereignty and protecting our nation, the President said that our nation can only be preserved and protected for our progeny if there is a nation left to protect. He revealed that environmental deterioration is the greatest threat to the future of the Maldives as a nation, confirmed by the latest research and reports.

President Solih warned that this generation may well be the last one able to actively avert further destruction of our ecosystems, underlining that it is critical to immediately take measures to alleviate the dangers to our natural environs.

Continuing his address to the nation, President Solih noted that while Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as the Maldives may only contribute a minuscule amount to the pollution that leads to adverse climate impacts such as global warming, we have to play a significant role in safeguarding our nations from those impacts. The greatest financial burden also falls upon SIDS like the Maldives, he said, demonstrating the futility of isolationist foreign policies. The President stated that all nations and states must come together as one family and cooperate towards global climate goals.

The Maldives is a strong and vocal advocate against climate change on the global stage. The Maldives is also a leader among SIDS, engaging and inviting dialogue in international arenas for the rights of SIDS and addressing the adverse impacts of the climate emergency.