President: Paris agreement represents humankind

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has said that the Paris agreement concluded at the Conference of Parties (CoP) 21 on 12 December 2015, “represents humankind’s best hope for securing a future for the planet.”

In a statement issued today, the President noted that when President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom spoke about the dangers of climate change at the United Nations in 1987, there were few voices of support. He said that it is now satisfying to see that nearly two hundred countries have not only recognized the dangers of climate change, but most importantly, pledged to take urgent measures to stop and ultimately eliminate the danger.

Commenting on the agreement, the President noted that the Maldives faces an existential threat from the dangers of climate change, as a few centimetre rise in sea levels would have disastrous consequences for Maldives and other low-lying countries.

The President also commended the strong leadership shown by the Maldivian delegation, led by the Minister of Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim, in representing the interests of the small island developing states in the negotiations.