Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid, has said that there needs to be a resolution to the impact of Climate change on Maldives. He said that should a solution not be found, the homes of people of Maldives may be lost.

The Minister said this while speaking at the United Nations Security Council in response to an open debate initiated by the Dominican Republic titled “Addressing impacts of climate-related disasters on international peace and security”.

Shahid said that the effects of climate change has impacted fresh water supplies to the point where it has been polluted with the seawater. He reiterated that there is a major impact of Climate change on Maldivian fisheries.

The Minister further spoke at the debate and said that there is a possibility that Maldives will find itself under water, with even a further two meters rise in sea level. Shahid said that the country might fully disappear and that is a day that no Maldivian citizen wishes to see.

Shahid said therefore that Maldivians cannot simply wait patiently while such incidents take place,  and said that a permanent solution must be found. The Minister noted that climate change has impacted global peace and security and said that it is time that world leaders agreed upon this fact.

The Maldivian Foreign Minister also highlighted the “Cop24 Summit” participated by former President Nasheed. He said that while world leaders agreed on actions to lower global warming by two degrees at the summit, he firmly believes that this can still be achieved at this time.