Former President Mohamed Nasheed has extended an invitation to U.S. President Donald Trump to visit the Maldives and other vulnerable nations to witness the impacts of climate change firsthand.
In a statement issued in his capacity as Secretary General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), Nasheed expressed disappointment with the Trump administration's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. He emphasized the significance of the accord for climate-vulnerable nations, describing it as a "lifeline" for 70 developing countries.
"I welcome the opportunity to work with the new U.S. administration, although it is disappointing that the first climate action of the Trump administration is to withdraw from the Paris Agreement," Nasheed said. He highlighted the 1.5-degree global temperature threshold enshrined in the Paris Agreement as critical for restoring safety and addressing the disproportionate impacts faced by smaller, vulnerable nations.
Nasheed stressed that leadership from the United States is vital in addressing the global climate crisis, stating, "Climate change impacts are drowning, burning, and washing away the future of the poor and vulnerable – our future – and the worsening impacts cannot just be wished away."
He urged President Trump to reconsider his administration's position by witnessing the real-world consequences of climate change. "I invite President Trump to see some of the challenges we are facing on the frontlines, including my home country of Maldives. From storm surges to heatwaves, melting glaciers to massive crop failures, these impacts require urgent global action," Nasheed added.
The former president also called for continued international unity to address the climate crisis, guided by science and collective responsibility. He expressed confidence that the United States would eventually return to the Paris Agreement and reiterated the importance of nations working together to secure a cleaner, more sustainable future.
The Trump administration's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement has drawn widespread criticism, with climate advocates emphasizing the need for global cooperation to combat the escalating climate crisis.
In a statement issued in his capacity as Secretary General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), Nasheed expressed disappointment with the Trump administration's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. He emphasized the significance of the accord for climate-vulnerable nations, describing it as a "lifeline" for 70 developing countries.
"I welcome the opportunity to work with the new U.S. administration, although it is disappointing that the first climate action of the Trump administration is to withdraw from the Paris Agreement," Nasheed said. He highlighted the 1.5-degree global temperature threshold enshrined in the Paris Agreement as critical for restoring safety and addressing the disproportionate impacts faced by smaller, vulnerable nations.
Nasheed stressed that leadership from the United States is vital in addressing the global climate crisis, stating, "Climate change impacts are drowning, burning, and washing away the future of the poor and vulnerable – our future – and the worsening impacts cannot just be wished away."
He urged President Trump to reconsider his administration's position by witnessing the real-world consequences of climate change. "I invite President Trump to see some of the challenges we are facing on the frontlines, including my home country of Maldives. From storm surges to heatwaves, melting glaciers to massive crop failures, these impacts require urgent global action," Nasheed added.
Statement by SG Nasheed Following Inauguration of President Trump - https://t.co/nZFvtYHaxn https://t.co/8ys8AS26uO
— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) January 21, 2025
The former president also called for continued international unity to address the climate crisis, guided by science and collective responsibility. He expressed confidence that the United States would eventually return to the Paris Agreement and reiterated the importance of nations working together to secure a cleaner, more sustainable future.
The Trump administration's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement has drawn widespread criticism, with climate advocates emphasizing the need for global cooperation to combat the escalating climate crisis.
