His Excellency Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef has successfully concluded his official visit to Hawaii, United States of America, marking a significant step forward in the Maldives’ international climate action agenda. The visit, made at the special invitation of the Blue Planet Alliance (BPA), underscored the nation’s commitment to strengthening global environmental partnerships and advancing innovative climate solutions.
Highlighting the Urgency of Climate Action
During the trip, the Vice President delivered a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Blue Planet Alliance Fellowship Programme. As the event’s special guest, he urged a shift from conventional thinking toward transformative strategies to combat climate change, especially for vulnerable frontline nations like the Maldives. He emphasized that for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the effects of climate change are not distant possibilities but present-day realities that continue to reshape lives and landscapes.
Formalising a Key Climate Partnership
A major highlight of the visit was the formalisation of the Maldives’ partnership with the Blue Planet Alliance. The Vice President signed a non-binding agreement expressing the Maldives’ aspirations to expand its use of renewable energy. The signing ceremony took place during the Fellowship Programme’s opening session, symbolising a shared vision for a sustainable, carbon-free future.
Historic Visit to NOAA Regional Centre
In a historic first, Vice President Latheef became the first Maldivian Vice President to visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Inouye Regional Centre. He expressed deep gratitude for NOAA’s continued assistance to the Maldives, especially through the International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC) and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC). These institutions played a pivotal role in supporting the Maldives in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami and in strengthening regional disaster preparedness and early warning systems.
Advocating for Ocean Sustainability and Climate Finance Reform
At the Honolulu International Forum, organised by the Pacific Forum, the Vice President reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to sustainable ocean governance and called for urgent reforms in international climate finance. He emphasised the critical connection between blue economy development and national survival for island nations.
Exploring Green Finance Solutions with HGIA
Before concluding his visit, the Vice President held strategic talks with Ms. Gwen Yamamoto-Lau, Executive Director of the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority (HGIA). The discussion centered on shared island vulnerabilities and the importance of innovative finance mechanisms to improve private sector access to affordable green financing. Hawaii’s progressive energy policies and inclusive financing models were highlighted as adaptable solutions for countries like the Maldives seeking to scale up renewable energy deployment.
Engagement and Capacity Building
Accompanying the Vice President was Ali Shareef, the Maldives’ Special Envoy for Climate Change. Senior government officials, representatives from utility companies, and civil society organisations from the Maldives are also participating in the fourth cohort of the Blue Planet Alliance Fellowship Programme, held in Honolulu from May 19 to 23, 2025.