At the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) under the UNFCCC, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan met on the sidelines to reinforce their commitment to climate action and mutual cooperation. Both leaders engaged in productive discussions about their shared vision for COP29 and the common climate challenges that impact their nations.

President Muizzu emphasized the enduring partnership between the Maldives and Bhutan, highlighting that despite geographical differences, both nations face significant threats from climate change, such as rising sea levels and glacial melting. He praised Bhutan’s pioneering status as the world’s first carbon-negative country and its innovative approaches to tackling climate impacts. The two leaders agreed to unite their efforts in amplifying the voices of small, vulnerable states to advocate for robust climate mitigation strategies.

Prime Minister Tobgay expressed his admiration for President Muizzu’s proactive leadership and underlined the importance of cooperative efforts among vulnerable countries to prompt stronger commitments from wealthier nations. He shared insights on Bhutan’s successful climate initiatives, reinforcing the need for enhanced responsibility in addressing global environmental challenges.

The meeting concluded with a mutual pledge to share expertise and best practices while exploring further investment and collaboration opportunities, fortifying bilateral ties and their shared vision for climate resilience.