VP Calls for Greater Climate Finance to Address Climate Mobility Challenges

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has called for stronger international cooperation and increased climate finance to help vulnerable countries address the growing challenges of climate mobility, warning that climate change is already shaping the lives and future of Maldivians.

Speaking at the High-Level Segment on the Climate Mobility Principles during the Berlin Climate Mobility Forum 2026 on Thursday, the Vice President said climate mobility is not a distant concern but an urgent reality that requires sustainable and practical solutions. He stressed that climate change is influencing the country’s development pathways and the future of its islands.

advertisement

Latheef highlighted the Maldives’ continued investment in climate resilience through coastal protection projects, resilient infrastructure and adaptation measures across multiple sectors. He pointed to Hulhumalé as an example of climate-resilient urban development and said the planned Ras Malé project builds on that approach by creating long-term solutions aimed at improving human security and expanding economic opportunities.

He said efforts to address climate mobility should focus on resilience, prevention and creating opportunities for people to remain safely in their homes. Where movement becomes necessary, he said it should be planned, voluntary and carried out with dignity.

The Vice President also emphasised the need for adequate and accessible climate finance, stating that vulnerable countries cannot tackle these challenges alone. He called on development partners to increase concessional and grant-based financing, technology transfer and capacity-building support tailored to the needs of Small Island Developing States.

During a separate high-level panel on protecting rights in the face of sea-level rise, Latheef said rising sea levels are already influencing the Maldives’ development planning, infrastructure investments and long-term priorities. He warned that the impacts extend beyond physical security, affecting people’s ability to maintain their homes, cultural identity and connections to place.

Addressing questions of sovereignty and statehood, the Vice President said the Maldives and other Small Island Developing States have consistently maintained that sovereignty and statehood must be upheld. He stressed that the rights of the Maldivian people, including the right to self-determination, must remain protected under international law.

Latheef said adaptation measures such as climate-resilient infrastructure, shore protection, safer housing and resilient public services are essential to safeguarding rights, livelihoods, culture and human dignity. He reiterated that projects such as Hulhumalé and Ras Malé demonstrate how proactive adaptation can strengthen resilience and reduce climate risks before displacement becomes unavoidable.

Concluding his remarks, the Vice President reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to working with international partners to advance solutions that protect people, uphold international law and strengthen resilience, while welcoming the Climate Mobility Principles and calling for concrete action to support affected communities.