Maldives Demands Tailored Finance to Combat Coastal Land Degradation at COP17

Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Ali Shareef has urged the international community to develop financial mechanisms that address the unique challenges of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), arguing that current frameworks are too focused on dryland environments to be effective for island nations. Speaking at the Finance Day of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Minister Shareef highlighted a critical gap in global environmental funding. He noted that while land degradation is often associated with desertification, island nations face distinct threats such as coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion. According to the Minister, these low-lying environments are increasingly vulnerable, yet these specific drivers of degradation remain largely unaccounted for within the existing global financial architecture. He stressed the urgency of ensuring that climate and environmental finance is not only responsive to the specific needs of SIDS but also easily accessible to them. To bridge this gap, Minister Shareef called for the scaling up of "blue-green finance" solutions. These tailored approaches would align financial support with the geographic and environmental realities of small islands, rather than applying generic models designed for continental landmasses. The Maldives' presence at COP17 underscores its ongoing global advocacy for support against climate-related coastal hazards. The nation's environmental policy consistently emphasizes the existential risks posed by rising sea levels and the resulting loss of habitable land. The High-Level Segment of COP17 serves as a critical forum for ministers and heads of delegations from UNCCD member states. The gathering focuses on coordinating international responses to land degradation, drought resilience, and the implementation of sustainable land management practices across diverse ecosystems.