Opening Remarks by His Excellency Moosa Zameer, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the UNGA79 Side Event "Adaptation through Innovation: How the Private Sector Could Lead the Way"
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, and Partners,
Assalamu alaikum, and a very good afternoon.
It is an honour to welcome you to this side event, on behalf of the Government of Maldives.
We are grateful to partner with the United States Agency for International Development in co-hosting this event. We also thank Invena Private Limited and the Self-Assembly Lab at MIT for the support they have extended as co-organisers.
We are at a pivotal moment. For the Maldives and other small island states, the clock is ticking. Climate change-induced coastal erosion and rising sea levels demand action, immediate and effective action.
We may be on the brink of a climate disaster, but it also presents a flipside. It presents us with an opportunity that is awaiting action to materialise and take form; An opportunity that would lead to a future anchored in resilience—abundant in good fortune.
The Maldives tourism industry is one prime example. Once dismissed as far-fetched, it defied the odds through strategic public-private partnerships. We managed to harness the necessary investments, build the infrastructure, and encourage sustainable practices. As a result, we are a globally recognised destination across the world today. And our thriving tourism sector has yielded phenomenal results for our people.
Today, we are applying the same spirit of collaboration to address climate resilience. In doing so, we have made innovation an important focus of our pursuit for future-driven solutions.
The innovation of Invena, a Maldivian start-up, has paved the way for innovative adaptation strategies. Along with the cutting-edge research of MIT Self Assembly Lab, and the generous backing of USAID, the synergy created through this initiative enables us to develop solutions that are both effective and scalable.
I look forward to today’s discussions and hope that the outcomes will allow us all to grasp a better understanding of the complex interlinkages between technological innovations and smart strategies for climate adaptation.
The path forward requires international cooperation, technology sharing, and a commitment to support innovative projects like these. We call on our global partners to be part of this journey and lead the way in transforming how we protect and regenerate coastlines.
It is now my privilege to introduce His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives, to share our vision for advancing a future of resilience and sustainability.
I thank you.
