President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu met with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday on the sidelines of COP29, the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The high-level discussion centered on the urgent need for international financial support to help Small Island Developing States (SIDS) address the dual challenges of climate change and debt burdens.

President Dr. Muizzu expressed gratitude for the UN’s sustained advocacy for SIDS and emphasized that international financial assistance is essential to building climate resilience.

He urged the UN to amplify these efforts, noting that SIDS are particularly vulnerable to climate impacts and often face significant financial constraints in implementing adaptation and mitigation projects.

Secretary-General Guterres affirmed his commitment to supporting the unique needs of SIDS, highlighting ongoing UN efforts to engage international finance.

Both leaders concluded by reiterating their commitment to continued collaboration on climate resilience, sustainable development, and other priority issues for vulnerable nations.

President Dr. Muizzu is currently in Baku, Azerbaijan, leading the Maldives' delegation at COP29.

This engagement continues the Maldives' active participation in the UN, which the nation joined shortly after gaining independence in 1965.