VP Champions Ocean Stewardship and Climate Finance Reform at Honolulu Forum

Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to sustainable ocean stewardship and called for urgent reforms in international climate finance during his address at the Honolulu International Forum (HIF) yesterday.

Speaking to a gathering of Indo-Pacific policymakers, experts, and practitioners, the Vice President praised the Pacific Forum for five decades of fostering strategic stability and policy dialogue. He highlighted the Maldives’ intrinsic connection to the ocean and noted the country’s increasing vulnerability to climate-induced threats, including coral bleaching, storm surges, and rising sea levels.

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Vice President Latheef talked about national initiatives that support the Blue Economy, such as sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, and ecosystem-based coastal management. He emphasised that these measures demand consistent and sufficient climate financing.

His Excellency Vice President Uz @HucenSembe attends the breakfast event hosted by the Pacific Forum. In the Vice President's statement, he called for global reform of climate finance. The Vice President was accompanied by @aleeshareef, the Maldives' Special Envoy for Climate… pic.twitter.com/LiR2ly0mK6— The President's Office (@presidencymv) May 21, 2025

Calling for structural change, the Vice President urged the international community to move beyond outdated GDP-based metrics and adopt frameworks that address the specific vulnerabilities of small island developing states. He encouraged the exploration of innovative financial mechanisms, including concessional tools and climate-linked debt solutions.

In his closing remarks, he underscored the inseparable connection between the Blue Economy and climate finance, advocating for international cooperation to protect ocean heritage, secure livelihoods, and build climate resilience.

During his visit to Honolulu, the Vice President also toured the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Inouye Regional Center – marking the first visit by a Maldivian Vice President to the facility. Situated on the historic Moku‘ume‘ume (Ford Island), the centre serves as a hub for oceanic and atmospheric research.

Officials at the International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC) and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) briefed the Vice President on their operations. He toured the facilities, praised their global contributions, and expressed gratitude for their continued support to the Maldives.

The Vice President acknowledged the pivotal role both centres played in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami. He noted their assistance in helping the Maldives build infrastructure, enhance national capacity, and promote disaster awareness. He also recognised their ongoing efforts in establishing regional warning systems across the Asia-Pacific.

The ITIC continues to foster collaborations with scientific institutions, civil defence agencies, and communities to improve tsunami preparedness. The PTWC, administered by the National Weather Service, remains the primary international forecast centre under the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.

He also met with Ms Gwen Yamamoto-Lau, Executive Director of the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority (HGIA), to discuss the shared climate challenges of island communities and explore innovative green financing solutions. Their discussion focused on Hawaii’s successful renewable energy transition and the potential application of its inclusive financing models, such as on-bill repayment schemes, in Small Island Developing States like the Maldives. The Vice President expressed strong interest in leveraging such approaches to enhance climate resilience and reduce fossil fuel reliance in the Maldives.

Vice President Latheef arrived in Hawaii last Thursday at the special invitation of the Blue Planet Alliance. On Monday, the Maldives joined the Blue Planet Alliance.