Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid says climate impacts are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and that the country's fiscal resources have been drained into the COVID response.
He made the comments while addressing the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on the Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Climate and Security.
Minister Shahid said that climate change is the ultimate threat multiplier.
He said that it is taking away homes and territories while also eroding the country's beaches and killing the corals that naturally protect its islands.
He noted that it is taking away livelihoods and changing the way of life in the Maldives.
Minister Shahid said that Climate adaptation is absolutely necessary to avoid potential risks to peace and security in SIDS.
He highlighted that this is particularly relevant now, as climate impacts are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and that financial resources have been drained in the country's COVID response.
Minister Shahid reminded the council that the Maldives is in a never-ending battle against the raging elements, fighting for survival.
Shahid said that Maldivians may be powerless in unilaterally preventing the adverse effects of climate change but that does not mean that it would simply accept its fate.
He said that in December, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced the country's intention to reach net-zero emissions by 2030 at the Climate Ambition Summit.
Minister said that he is under no illusion that Maldives's ambitious targets and transformational actions will save the country.
He said that everyone recognizes that associating climate-related risks to international peace and security is a complex and broad challenge. But added that for the Security Council to live up to its primary responsibility for international peace and security, it must solve difficult and complex issues.
