VP Latheef: Developing countries must drive stronger climate action

VP Hussain Mohamed Latheef, on Friday, emphasized on the need for developing nations to take a leading role in advancing climate action to pave the way for a prosperous future. 

He made the remark while delivering the Maldives’ national statement at the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Emphasizing that climate change is not confined to geological borders, the Vice President articulated that developing countries face the most impact due to their resource limitations.

He urged NAM to do more to deepen cooperation and counter new and emerging threats. 

VP Latheef also reiterated that Maldives has always believed in international cooperation and that unity in diversity has always been the nation’s biggest strength.

Speaking further, VP Latheef underscored that humanity is at a crossroads. While acknowledging the unparalleled advancements by humankind with real, tangible progress making the world more prosperous, he said it is also rife with conflict and calamity, societies enveloped by uncertainty, friction, and fear.

In this trajectory, he shed light on the dire humanitarian crisis unraveling in Gaza, where thousands of innocent lives have been lost. 

He reaffirmed that the Maldives strongly condemns the deliberate acts of aggression by the Israeli forces against innocent Palestinian civilians; a flagrant violation of the Genocide Convention, applauding the application by South Africa before the International Court of Justice requesting to declare that Israel is in breach of the Genocide Convention. 

He also appealed for unity in intensifying calls for an immediate ceasefire and a permanent solution for peace, where a sovereign and independent State of Palestine is established based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

VP Latheef also emphasized the need to revitalize and reform the United Nations and its Security Council. 

He spoke on the role of NAM in ensuring a peaceful, stable, and prosperous future for all, stating the NAM’s vital role in guaranteeing peace, shared affluence, prosperity, and security through international cooperation and integration. He also underscored the need for the movement to continue to adapt to the ever-changing global dynamics and make the world a place where hope triumphs over fear, peace triumphs over conflict, and resilience triumphs over vulnerability.

VP Latheef is presently in Uganda, on an official visit to attend the 19^th Summit of NAM and the Third South Summit, organized under the framework of Group 77 and China, being held in Kampala this week.