Foreign Minister, Abdulla Shahid has called on international community to help Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to overcome the challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Maldivian Foreign Minister made the remark at the virtual event to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). Hosted under the Chairmanship of Belize, the meeting took stock of AOSIS’ achievements, and also looked ahead at what AOSIS aims to accomplish with the support of partners.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Shahid said that it is becoming increasingly evident that countries in special situations such as SIDS will need the support of the international community to recover from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

He also thanked the partners who have generously extended financial, material and technical support during this crisis and emphasized that this pandemic should not halt the momentum on climate action. In this regard, Minister Shahid noted that AOSIS must stand united in responding to the call by the Secretary-General for a green recovery from the pandemic, and the adoption of the proposed climate actions to shape economic recovery as building back better is building back greener.

Minister Shahid stated that the Maldives will submit updated NDCs by the end of this year and commended the Chair’s leadership in generating momentum for advancing NDCs, in the united efforts to reach the 1.5 degrees target. He also mentioned the need to appeal to the partners of the developed world to provide innovative financing options to help small islands adapt to life in a changing climate.

The Foreign Minister further expressed the need for seeking more support for the ‘SIDS Compact’ to help SIDS meet the ongoing challenges of this pandemic as well as to service national debts and to increase the limited fiscal space.

AOSIS was formed at the Second World Climate Conference in Geneva in 1990, following the first Small States Conference on Sea Level Rise which was held in the Maldives. The formation of AOSIS has amplified the voice of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in numerous multilateral processes.

Maldives has been an AOSIS member since its inception, and had chaired the Alliance from 2015 to 2018.