Speaking at the Asia Pacific Regional High-level Forum on Green Economy 2019 held at Bangkok, Thailand Minister Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan said that Accelerating climate resilient and low-emissions development pathway is crucial, and this is achievable without jeopardizing the sustainable development. He said that transitioning to a green economy became a necessity and our government aims to wholeheartedly adapt this belief. He said that the government of Maldives recognizes the enormous gains of investing in green economies, and enhancing green growth in order to achieve the sustainable development goals and to eradicate poverty.

He further said that many nations are facing enormous challenges in reaching their sustainable development agenda and climate change remains the biggest obstacle. He said that currently, the world is facing a climate emergency and no nation is immune from its climate impacts and low-lying island nation such as Maldives, are, by far, the most vulnerable. Minister said that the world needs urgent and ambitious action at every level to fight the imminent climate crisis, and limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees, as set in the Paris Agreement.

Minister also said that Maldives is investing in renewables and increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix, and this remains as a key priority for the government. He said efforts are made to meet 70% of the day-time peak load from renewable energy sources. He said that this transformation will not only enable to move beyond fossil fuels, but it will also reduce our GHGs, increase green jobs, institutional capacities on green technologies.