HLPF Ministerial Segment Opens at UN Today

The Ministerial Segment of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum began today at New York Headquarters. H.E. Thoriq Ibrahim, the Maldives’ Environment and Energy Minister is attending the session. This process grew out of the landmark UN conference on global sustainability, known as Rio+20. It meets both under the UN General Assembly every four years… Continue reading HLPF Ministerial Segment Opens at UN Today

Groundhog Day All Over Again

Bonn, Germany—Welcome to Groundhog Day. Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early end to winter back in February, and indeed the weather has been pleasant here, but it still feels like déjà vu all over again for a more ominous reason. Almost invariably for the past few years the international climate negotiations have opened against the backdrop… Continue reading Groundhog Day All Over Again

Small islands call on countries to accelerate climate action

“The solutions to climate change are more cost effective than ever and success stories for effective action abound. The only question is whether we join together quickly and boldly enough to avoid catastrophe.” -Thoriq Ibrahim BONN, Germany–At the opening of the United Nations climate change conference, the first since the international community reached the historic… Continue reading Small islands call on countries to accelerate climate action

AOSIS Members Join Secretary General in Early Ratification Event

UNITED NATIONS—On the sidelines of the Paris Climate Change Agreement ceremony here today, where a record 167 countries will sign the historic document, United Nations Secretary General Ban ki-Moon joined five AOSIS representatives—Maldives, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Palau, and Grenada—as well as Canada, Norway, and Mali at a special event highlighting the countries that have already… Continue reading AOSIS Members Join Secretary General in Early Ratification Event

World Gathers to Sign Historic Climate Treaty

UNITED NATIONS–Today some 160 countries from around the world are gathered here at the signing ceremony for the historic Paris Climate Change Agreement. The record number of signatories reflects the global urgency of the crisis and follows a a number small island states–Fiji, RMI, Palau and Maldives–that were the first to complete their domestic ratification… Continue reading World Gathers to Sign Historic Climate Treaty

Critical Week For Sustainable Development and Climate at the UN

In a watershed moment for international cooperation, global political, business and civil society leaders are in to New York where they will pledge fast action on the new United Nations sustainable development agenda and the landmark Paris climate agreement, to build on momentum from 2015 to create a better future for people and the planet.… Continue reading Critical Week For Sustainable Development and Climate at the UN

Small Islands Lead World in Climate Treaty Ratification

UNITED NATIONS—Leaders from the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), a coalition of 44 island and coastal nations that are highly vulnerable to climate change, are meeting today ahead of tomorrow’s historic Paris climate change agreement signing ceremony. The first four countries to complete their domestic ratification processes—Fiji, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Palau… Continue reading Small Islands Lead World in Climate Treaty Ratification

How the Maldives are putting climate funds to work

From Climate Home By Thoriq Ibrahim This week all eyes are on United Nations headquarters in New York City, where the international community is gathering to sign the Paris climate change agreement. But here on this drought-prone island, thousands of kilometers from both cities, the global war against climate change has already begun. Funadhoo is the site… Continue reading How the Maldives are putting climate funds to work

Press release: Maldives Among First to Ratify Paris Climate Agreement

4 April, 2016–Today, the parliament of the Republic of the Maldives, one of the first country’s to raise the alarm on the danger of climate change and sea level rise in the 1980s and Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), voted to ratify the historic Paris climate change agreement. The decision makes… Continue reading Press release: Maldives Among First to Ratify Paris Climate Agreement