Malé, Maldives – The Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Shahid welcomed the United States officially rejoining the Parist Accord.
The Minister stressed that doing the bare minimum is not enough and the Maldives is ready to accelerate the climate action process before the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) to be held in Glasgow, UK.
The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC).
Maldives is an advocate in the fight against climate change in the international arena with the country being part of the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) and Forum of Small States (FOSS).
The FOSS held an Interactive Virtual Dialogue event to commemorate the US return to the Paris Accord under the theme “Return of the United States to the Paris Agreement: A catalyst to raise climate ambition and collective action?”
Minister Shahid describes the US returning into the Paris Agreement as a moment of hope for all Small Island Developing States (SIDS) which would reinvigorate the global shift to greener and more sustainable economies. He praised their recommitment to the 1.5-degree goal and net zero emissions by 2050, meanwhile Maldives has pledged to reach net zero emissions by 2030.
Various other countries and environmental organizations have applauded President Biden’s decision to rejoin the Paris Accord.
