Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan, Special Envoy of the President and former President of the Maldives, has called for decisive global action and stronger international partnership to advance sustainability and climate resilience.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Sustainability Global Leaders Conference in Shanghai, China, Dr Waheed represented President Dr Mohamed Muizzu at the event. He stressed that for the Maldives, sustainability is not merely a slogan but a matter of survival.
“When sea levels rise, we lose not only land but also heritage, culture, and history. For us, climate change is the lived reality of today,” he stated.
Dr Waheed emphasised that “small does not mean powerless”, reaffirming the Maldives’ determination to lead by example through resilience, innovation, and equity. He outlined three key pillars for global cooperation: action, innovation, and sustainable growth, and urged nations to transform commitments into tangible results, ensuring that vulnerable countries are not left behind.
In his speech, he also called for courageous leadership.
“True leadership is not measured by size or wealth, but by courage – the courage to act when science is clear, and to prioritise future generations over short-term gain,” he said.
Dr Waheed concluded his address with a message of unity and optimism, reaffirming that the Maldives chooses hope, courage, and partnership to thrive, and to help build a world founded on resilience, justice, and enduring hope.