Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel has warned that rising sea levels are posing serious multidimensional security threats to vulnerable nations.
The minister made the remarks while speaking at a side event in Munich titled “Rising Seas, Rising Risks: How to respond to the multidimensional security challenges posed by sea level rise.” The event was co-hosted by the Global Centre for Climate Mobility and the Robert Bosch Stiftung, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
Dr Khaleel said that although climate change is a global problem, its consequences are not evenly shared. Small island developing states such as the Maldives, he noted, contribute only minimally to global emissions but face some of the gravest risks, including rising sea levels and increasingly extreme weather.
The Foreign Minister outlined the Maldives’ adaptation efforts, highlighting the development of Rasmalé, an elevated ‘safe city’ designed to withstand projected sea-level rise along with continued investment in resilient infrastructure.
However, he cautioned that adaptation measures alone would not be sufficient to confront the broader global security implications of climate change. He called for concrete international action supported by strong political will.
Dr Khaleel concluded by reaffirming the Maldives’ commitment to climate advocacy, stressing that global solidarity will be essential to safeguard vulnerable nations and secure a sustainable future.