Small island states seek climate justice, not sympathy, President Muizzu tells COP31

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has called for reforms to international climate financing, saying small island developing states (SIDS) are seeking climate justice rather than sympathy and should not be prevented from accessing financial assistance because of their vulnerability to climate change.

Speaking at a meeting between leaders of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and the United Nations Secretary-General on the sidelines of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, on Thursday, President Muizzu said climate change remained the greatest obstacle to the Maldives' ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2040.

He said international efforts must now prioritise climate finance, reform of the global financial system and the implementation of commitments already made.

The President stressed that climate financing must be adequate, accessible, predictable and provided in the form of grants.

He called for increased funding for climate adaptation, particularly in anticipation of the potential effects of a projected Super El Niño event, and urged the international community to accelerate contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund.

President Muizzu said countries that had contributed little to the causes of climate change should not be forced to take on high-interest debt to address its consequences.

He also warned that climate action must not come at the expense of development or impose debt burdens that vulnerable countries cannot sustain.

The President criticised existing international financing arrangements, saying they often left climate-vulnerable countries with little choice but to borrow at high costs.

He said such borrowing increased national debt burdens and reduced the fiscal space available for other development priorities.

President Muizzu called on international financial institutions and credit rating agencies to recognise the long-term economic benefits of investments in climate resilience.

He argued that financing arrangements should take account of the economic value of measures designed to reduce vulnerability to climate-related disasters and protect future development.

The President also highlighted the need to reform international financial mechanisms to ensure that countries most exposed to climate risks could access support without accumulating further debt.

Reaffirming the position of small island developing states, President Muizzu said their demands were based on fairness and responsibility rather than requests for sympathy or charitable assistance.

He said the international community must recognise the disproportionate impact of climate change on countries that have contributed relatively little to global emissions.

The President also stressed that the effectiveness of multilateral cooperation should be measured by the results it delivers rather than the commitments made at international meetings.

"Small island states are not asking for charity or sympathy. We are asking for climate justice," he said.

He added that the true test of multilateralism was not the promises made but the outcomes achieved.