President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has called for the Early Warnings for All initiative to be strengthened beyond 2027, with small island developing states placed at the centre of delivery.
Speaking at COP31 in Türkiye on 11 November, the President said rising sea levels, coastal erosion, flooding, storm surges and changing weather patterns threaten lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, tourism and fisheries in the Maldives.
He noted that around 80 per cent of the country’s islands stand less than one metre above sea level and that nearly half the population lives within 100 metres of the coast. Strengthening early warning systems is therefore a national priority and a critical investment in resilience, preparedness and sustainable development.
The Maldives was the first country in Asia and the first small island developing state to endorse a national strategic roadmap under the Early Warnings for All initiative. The Cabinet approved the roadmap in 2023, setting out 85 activities across the programme’s four pillars.
The President welcomed progress recorded in the Global Status Report on Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems and urged partners to ensure that gains translate into practical protection for vulnerable countries. He called for improved weather and climate services, better forecasting, reliable communications networks, stronger community preparedness and effective last-mile delivery of warnings.
Access to effective early warning systems should be treated as a necessity rather than a privilege, he said, and as a cornerstone of climate justice. He urged developed countries, development banks and climate funds to provide greater financial and technical support through grants, concessional financing, technology transfer and capacity building.
