Climate minister calls for global support to keep islanders on their islands

Minister Ali Shareef has said that scientific information, financial assistance, capacity building and regional cooperation are highly important to find solutions to the problems that force people to migrate due to climate change, and to strengthen the resilience of communities living on the islands. The Minister said this while speaking at a COP31 side event organised by the Global Center for Climate Mobility (GCCM). Speaking at the meeting, Minister Shareef highlighted the importance of establishing policies based on evidence and information — data-driven approaches — to overcome the difficulties created by climate change. He also noted that work must be carried out jointly at the international and regional level to ensure the right of people living in vulnerable environments to remain in their own homeland, and to strengthen the inclusiveness of communities. In addition, the Minister's remarks noted that seeking the financial assistance needed to reduce the risk of climate migration, and increasing human resources and technical capacity, are absolutely necessary to find a sustainable solution to such matters. While the Maldives is among the island nations most affected by climate change, establishing an environment in which citizens can live safely on their own islands is an important matter that the Maldives has always advocated for in the international arena.