On the sidelines of the 28th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai, the Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Thoriq Ibrahim, chaired a side event on the Climate Smart Resilient Islands (CSRI) Initiative. 

The event reinforced the added value of the CSRI Initiative as well as the great potential of its Climate Resilient Water Security Programme, which is being developed with readiness support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This vital programme of the CSRI Initiative is a global, SIDS-driven approach working towards the end goal of achieving climate-resilient, environmentally healthy, and water-secure island nations. 

In a panel discussion with Minister Thoriq, Ms. Carolina Fuentes, Director of Country Programming Division of the Green Climate Fund, and the Minister of Natural Resources & Environment of Samoa, His Excellency Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, highlighted the synergies and complementarity of the CSRI Initiative with other global and regional SIDS initiatives.

Concluding his statement, Minister Thoriq reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Maldives to the CSRI Initiative and invited country representatives and regional organizations to join in shaping its Climate Resilient Water Security Programme.