On the sidelines of the 28th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP28, in Dubai, the Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, His Excellency Thoriq Ibrahim, chaired a side event on the Climate Smart Resilient Islands (CSRI) Initiative.
Launched by the Maldives, the CSRI Initiative aims to foster a holistic approach for small island developing states (SIDS) to address climate change. This is to be achieved by creating a platform for inter-regional exchange and collaboration among SIDS practitioners on climate action.
The event reinforced the value added of the CSRI Initiative as well as the great potential of its Climate Resilient Water Security Programme, which is being developed with readiness support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This vital programme of CSRI is a global, SIDS-driven approach working towards the end goal of achieving climate-resilient, environmentally healthy, and water-secure island nations.
During the opening, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit’s (GIZ) Ms. Katja Kammerer, Director, Client Liaison and Business Development, GIZ spoke regarding the work GIZ has undertaken to support Maldives in the CSRI initiative.
In a panel discussion with Minister Thoriq and Ms. Ms. Carolina Fuentes, Director of Country Programming Division of Green Climate Fund during the event, Minister of Natural Resources & Environment of Samoa, His Excellency Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, highlighted on synergies and complementarity of the CSRI with other global and regional SIDS initiatives.
Concluding his statement, Minister Thoriq reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Maldives to the CSRI Initiative and invited country representatives and regional organizations to join in shaping its Climate Resilient Water Security Programme.
