President Muizzu Urges Action Over Pledges at COP31 Paris Agreement Anniversary

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said that with climate change, world leaders will not be enough by making pledges alone, and that action must be shown and results produced. Speaking today at a high-level meeting held as part of COP31 marking the 20th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, the President said the effects of climate change are profound on island nations, and that the Maldives has for many years prepared projects of a financeable standard, included climate matters in development plans, and advocated at the international level. However, he noted that due to shortcomings in the international financial system, countries such as the Maldives are forced to take on large debts in order to protect their people and islands. He said these challenges are not things that fragile countries can face alone, and that fast, sustainable and collective work at the global level is needed. He also said that climate finance must be delivered in a way that relates to the real situation of fragile countries, that the special needs of small states must be recognized, and that fragility cannot be weighed based on income alone. The President highlighted the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for developing small island states. Under that agenda, he called for strengthening international support for sustainable development, the ideas considered fragile, and the right paths to obtain finance. Along with that, the President also welcomed the "Bridge Initiative," which works to convert climate pledges into practical solutions. At this juncture, as the world faces the 20th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, the President called on all countries to remain steadfast in implementing that agreement. The President said that world leaders will not be enough by making pledges alone, and that history will judge those leaders by the results and actions delivered to those most in need.