President Mohamed Nasheed arrived in New York last night. On arrival at John F. Kennedy Airport, the President was greeted by the Maldivian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mr Abdul Gafoor Mohamed.
In New York, the President will speak at the 64th Session of the UN General Assembly and the UN Secretary General’s Summit on Climate Change.
UN Secretary General Mr Ban Ki-moon’s climate summit comes just two months before the historic UN climate conference in Copenhagen in which the world leaders will have the opportunity to seal a successor agreement to the UN climate agreement, the Kyoto Protocol.
The US and Chinese leadership will also reportedly deliver their climate positions at the summit, which is part of what is dubbed the “climate week” starting from September 20.
President Nasheed is among the seven speakers invited by the UN Secretary General to address the summit.
In New York, the President is also scheduled to speak at a high level conference on climate change organized by the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).
The AOSIS coalition is expected to come up with a declaration outlining their common position ahead of the Copenhagen conference to be held later this year.
The President will also hold meetings with other world leaders and heads of organizations.
The President’s visit – which comes at a time of a dire budgetary situation in the country – is being sponsored by third parties.
