President His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu addressed the High-Level Meeting on Sea Level Rise during UNGA79, stressing that no Maldivian would willingly leave their homeland. He affirmed the nation's determination to protect their islands and expressed confidence that they will endure.

Speaking at the session titled "Livelihoods, Socio-Economic Challenges, and Culture and Heritage in Relation to Sea-Level Rise," The President urged the global community to recognise the complex impacts of rising sea levels. He highlighted three key points in this regard:

  1. The need to diversify economies and protect sustainable livelihoods tied to the ocean.
  2. The importance of preserving identity, culture, and heritage by empowering communities, especially women and youth.
  3. A call for a global approach to sea-level rise, as no single nation should shoulder the burden alone.

He concluded by urging for decisive action, emphasising that future generations deserve a secure future for their livelihoods and cultures. He stressed the importance of achieving tangible outcomes, questioning the purpose of their gathering if no progress was made.