President Nasheed to attend Copenhagen Climate Conference

President Nasheed will attend the COP 15 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in December.

The President had earlier ruled out his participation in the conference, citing domestic budgetary constraints. However, assistance from the COP 15 process, the United Nations and the European Union means the President will now attend the summit.

Since assuming office last year, Nasheed has made tackling climate change a key foreign policy goal.

In March, he announced plans to make the Maldives the world’s first carbon neutral country in ten years. The carbon neutral plan will see the Maldives’ electricity production shift from diesel to 100% renewable energy.

Last month, Nasheed chaired an underwater cabinet meeting, to highlight the risks of rising sea levels associated with global warming on his low-lying island nation.