President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has returned to the Maldives after concluding his visit to Türkiye to attend the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31).

The President was accompanied at the summit, which began on 10 November under the theme "Towards a Sustainable, Resilient and Equitable Future", by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level government delegation.

Delivering the Maldives' national statement at the conference, the President called for the commitments made by the international community on climate change to be fulfilled and for reforms to the international financial system. Highlighting the importance of turning political commitments into practical results, he called for recognition of the vulnerable situation faced by small island developing states.

During the visit, the President took part in high-level roundtable meetings on climate issues, where he shared the challenges faced by vulnerable island nations and stressed the need to increase international assistance to these countries.

In addition, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed spoke at the high-level meeting of the "Global Zero Waste Alliance". In her speech, she highlighted the damage caused by marine waste to reefs, marine life and food safety, and reminded attendees that discarded waste does not simply disappear.

On the sidelines of the summit, the President and First Lady met leaders of various countries, heads of international organisations and senior figures working in climate-related fields, and held discussions with them.

The summit, held to take urgent collective action against climate change, mainly discussed the transition to renewable energy, securing financial assistance to overcome climate challenges, and protecting coastal areas from climate damage.

The President's participation in COP28 in 2023 and COP29 in 2024 also demonstrates the special attention this government gives to advocating on climate issues at the international level.