Maldives leader returns to Male’ after Türkiye trip to attend COP31

Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu returned to Male’ on Saturday, after traveling to Türkiye for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31).

The COP31 is taking place at the Antalya Expo Center in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 – 20.

President Muizzu left for Antalya on Tuesday, to participate in the High-Level Session and the Antalya Leaders' Summit. He was accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation of government officials.

President Muizzu delivered the Maldives’ national statement at the COP31 on Wednesday, calling on the international community to honor its climate commitments, reform the international financial architecture and translate political pledges into measurable progress.

He also advocated for reforms that better recognize the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

During the visit, President Muizzu participated in several high-level roundtable discussions on key climate-related issues, highlighting the challenges facing vulnerable island nations and calling for stronger international support.

Meanwhile, First Lady Sajidha participated in the High-Level Meeting of the Global Zero Waste Alliance, during which she highlighted the harmful effects of marine litter on coral reefs, marine life and the food chain, stressing that waste does not simply disappear once discarded.

The President and First Lady also held meetings with several heads of state, leaders of international organizations and prominent figures in climate advocacy on the sidelines of the conference.

The UN climate conference is an annual forum that brings together world leaders and negotiators from member states of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to advance global progress on climate action, with business leaders, young people, climate scientists, indigenous peoples, and civil society sharing insights and best practices to strengthen collective and inclusive action.

This year’s summit, being held under the theme ‘Towards a Sustainable, Resilient and Equitable Future’ is bringing together world leaders to strengthen international cooperation and collective action on climate change, with key discussions focusing on the transition to clean energy, global electrification, climate finance and urban adaptation.

President Muizzu also attended COP28 in 2023 and COP29 in 2024.