President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu departed today to attend the 31st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP31), being held in Antalya, Türkiye, from yesterday until the 20th of this month.

During the visit, the President will deliver the national statement on behalf of the Maldives. He is also scheduled to take part in various high-level events and discussions, and to hold meetings with leaders of other countries.

COP31 is a summit that brings together world leaders and representatives of UNFCCC member states to accelerate global efforts against climate change.

In addition, businesspeople, youth, climate scientists and civil society organisations will share their experiences and findings at the meeting, to carry out inclusive collective efforts.

The COP summit is the 31st summit held under the historic UNFCCC treaty established in 1992. The treaty is also the foundation of the 2015 Paris Agreement.

The President is accompanied on the visit by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation.

Speaking at a press conference held yesterday, the President said the COP summit is a very important summit for a country like the Maldives. The President said the Maldives is a country that works at both the national and international level to protect the environment.