The Maldives on Tuesday called for stronger regional cooperation to advance sustainable and resilient urban development that reflects the needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), during the 81st session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok, Thailand.
Delivering the national statement, Ambassador-at-Large Mohamed Fahmy Hassan said that achieving resilient and sustainable urban development was “closely linked” to realising the Maldives’ broader development objectives.
He outlined President Mohamed Muizzu’s vision of transforming the Maldives into a developed nation by 2040, highlighting the government’s efforts to draft short- and long-term development plans that address “ground realities, including geographical barriers and structural challenges hindering equitable access to services.”
Fahmy pointed to the recent ratification of the Urban Development Act and described it as part of the Maldives’ strides in sustainable urbanisation. He also spoke about the country’s ongoing efforts to tackle the housing crisis and improve regional connectivity through important infrastructure projects, such as the Greater Malé Connectivity Project and the expansion of Velana International Airport.
He renewed the Maldives’ call for innovative financing solutions to support climate-resilient infrastructure, urging the adoption of a “debt forgiveness for resilience building” model to ensure SIDS have the resources needed to pursue sustainable development.
“Regional cooperation must reflect the realities of Small Island Developing States,” he said, thanking ESCAP for its role in localising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Maldives.
The session, which runs from 21 to 25 April, is being held under the theme “Regional cooperation for resilient and sustainable urban development in Asia and the Pacific”. It aims to promote inclusive urban growth and galvanise efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Fahmy also participated in a UN-Habitat side event as a panellist, where he discussed both the challenges and opportunities in delivering affordable housing across the region.