Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Aslam, in his address to the 14th Plenary Session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) in Baku, Azerbaijan, has stressed the importance of regional cooperation for sustainable development across Asia.
The session, concluding on 24 February, involved 40 parliamentary delegations and focused on regional cooperation for sustainable development. Discussions covered Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the assembly, economic and sustainable development, budget planning, and political and cultural issues.
Aslam highlighted the Maldives’ environmental initiatives, including efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. He outlined the country’s legislative progress in areas such as energy, climate change, and waste management. Despite facing significant challenges, including limited resources and vulnerability to climate impacts, the Maldives remains committed to climate resilience.
The Speaker pointed out the challenges in accessing affordable climate finance and the delays in receiving funds for approved projects, which necessitates a focus on climate adaptation strategies within the Maldives.
He also mentioned successful examples of regional cooperation, including the Greater Mekong Subregion’s sustainable agriculture and infrastructure projects, the International Solar Alliance’s promotion of solar energy, and the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity’s conservation efforts. These instances show the benefits of shared resources and knowledge in addressing environmental challenges.
Addressing the Israeli attacks on Gaza, Aslam expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people and called for an immediate ceasefire and peaceful resolution.
The APA, founded in 2006, aims to promote dialogue, develop strategies, and coordinate efforts among member parliaments to address security concerns and ensure regional stability. The assembly’s focus on non-traditional security threats highlights the challenges of achieving consensus among members with divergent political views.