At the Summit of the Future, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu urged global leaders to transform the United Nations into an effective body that produces real change, challenging the notion of it as a distant institution burdened with unfulfilled resolutions.
Muizzu outlined three key proposals aimed at revitalising the multilateral system. He first emphasised the importance of empowering youth, stating that young people are crucial in shaping today’s world and will lead it tomorrow. “An enabling environment is key to true empowerment,” he noted, highlighting the establishment of a Presidential Youth Advisory Board in the Maldives to elevate young voices in governance.
The President then turned his attention to climate change, describing it as the greatest threat to present and future generations. He cited alarming statistics, revealing that extreme weather events have caused over $153 billion in losses for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) over the past fifty years. “Ignoring the 1.5°C target is not an option,” Muizzu insisted, calling for renewed global commitment to climate adaptation and mitigation.
Muizzu also addressed the critical need for equitable financing to close the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) investment gap, estimated at between $2.5 trillion and $4 trillion annually. “It’s time for a financial system that listens to everyone and works for everyone,” he said.
To move forward, he urged nations to collaborate on implementing the agreements reached, underscoring the importance of collaboration in shaping a future defined by equity and innovation. “For the Maldives, and for every island, and for every soul dreaming of a better tomorrow—let us unite to build that brighter future,” he declared.
