Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, speaking at the opening ceremony of the Blue Planet Alliance (BPA) Fellowship Programme on Monday, urged policymakers to move beyond conventional approaches in tackling the climate crisis. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the BPA Fellowship Programme in Honolulu, Hawaii, the vice president highlighted the necessity for a broader vision to support innovation in vulnerable nations.
Addressing participants as a special guest, Vice President Latheef underscored the precarious position of small island states, where climate change is no longer an abstract threat but a stark, daily reality. He reaffirmed the Maldives' commitment to climate leadership despite formidable challenges, a determination reflected in the nation's latest policy developments.
Among these measures was the Maldives' recently unveiled Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and its Energy Roadmap 2024-2033. Vice President Latheef highlighted a central target within the plan: generating 33 percent of the country's electricity from renewable sources by 2028. The initiative, he elaborated, reflects President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and advance sustainable energy solutions. Beyond addressing the Maldives' energy vulnerabilities, he said that these policies position the island nation as a model for others facing similar climate-related challenges.
Vice President Latheef framed the difficulties encountered by small island states not as barriers but as catalysts for ingenuity. He commended the BPA Fellowship Programme for fostering knowledge exchange and strengthening collective climate action among island nations.
Now in its fourth cohort, the programme convenes policy experts, utility leaders, civil society representatives, and climate advocates, all working to bolster climate resilience and accelerate clean energy adoption. Senior Maldivian officials and representatives from civil society organisations are among this year's participants, contributing to discussions aimed at practical solutions.
Closing his address, the vice president urged fellows to look beyond technological fixes, stressing the need for innovative policy frameworks and financing mechanisms to drive systemic change. He reinforced that such measures have the potential to create lasting impact, reshape global conversations on climate action, and strengthen resilience in vulnerable communities.