Minister Thoriq Appointed Chairperson of Global Council on Climate Action

Minister of Tourism and Environment, Thoriq Ibrahim, has been appointed Chairperson of the Global Council on Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action, as part of the third cohort of the Global Councils on SDGs.

The Global Councils on SDGs, an initiative established by the United Arab Emirates during the sixth edition of the World Government Summit, serves as a platform for international collaboration in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The third cohort (2024-2026) is set to be launched at the World Government Summit in February 2025.

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Minister Thoriq Ibrahim’s appointment places him at the forefront of global climate efforts, where he will lead initiatives addressing climate change and ensuring alignment with international best practices. Each SDG within the Global Councils is chaired by a minister, with Minister Thoriq overseeing efforts related to climate action, a particularly pressing issue for the Maldives, one of the most vulnerable nations to climate change.

At #WGS25, Minister @Thoriqibrahim joined the XDGs 2045 Ministerial Roundtable, sharing insights on the Maldives' success stories in energy transition and the Safer Island Concept, emphasizing the critical role of international cooperation and partnerships in climate action pic.twitter.com/X0kBcAIS41— Ministry of Tourism and Environment (@MoTmv) February 11, 2025

As part of his role, Minister Thoriq will participate in the Government Exchange Experience Programme, which promotes collaboration and knowledge-sharing between countries to drive effective climate policies. His leadership is expected to reinforce the Maldives’ commitment to climate resilience while contributing to broader global climate initiatives.

Minister Thoriq’s tenure as Chairperson will include several high-level engagements, where he will represent the Maldives in discussions on climate change, technology, and environmental sustainability. He is set to deliver an intervention at the XDGs 2045 Ministerial Roundtable, focusing on collaborative strategies for addressing global climate challenges. Additionally, he will participate in a World Bank High-Level Closed Meeting on enabling technology and innovation in the water sector, where he will highlight the Maldives’ experiences in tackling water security and climate change impacts.

Further, at the SDGs in Action 2025 Forum, Minister Thoriq will join a panel discussion on ocean protection and marine conservation, emphasising the significance of climate finance and international partnerships for the resilience of island nations. He will also address a session of the Global Council on SDGs, where he will outline key Maldivian initiatives that could serve as models for other nations, reinforcing the importance of knowledge exchange in sustainable development.

The third cohort of the Global Councils on SDGs will focus on strengthening international cooperation and accelerating progress on the SDGs. Minister Thoriq’s appointment as Chairperson is viewed as a strategic step towards enhancing global climate action while furthering the Maldives’ role in climate leadership on the international stage.