President Dr. Mohamed Waheed has noted that “if there is a ground zero for observing and monitoring the impacts of global climate, that would be Maldives”.
The President made his remarks yesterday at a function hosted by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, to launch the 2nd Climate Vulnerability Monitor. Bangladesh hosted this event as the current Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum. The first Climate Vulnerability Monitor was launched under the Maldives chairmanship of the Forum in 2010.
Speaking at the event, President Waheed highlighted the dangers of habitat loss and economic stress as well as the health risks as the main vulnerability indicators in the case of the Maldives. Moreover, extreme weather events have endangered the food security situation of the country, the President said. Therefore, climate vulnerable countries that are “on the same sinking boat”, need to work together towards taking appropriate measures with the assistance of the international community.
The President expressed the importance of the Climate Vulnerability Monitor as an indispensable tool in bringing together a comprehensive compilation of information and research around the word on the real dangers of climate change.
The event was attended by His Excellency Jose Maria Figueres, former President of Costa Rica and Dr. Gro Harlem Brundland, former President of Norway.
