The Government hosted a Children’s Conference to bring together children from across the Maldives to discuss the key environmental threats facing the Maldives, including restricted access to safe drinking water, island erosion and the destruction of homes and the serious threat of flooding.

The children drafted a document collating their views which President Waheed will take with him to the Rio +20 conference on June 20th and present to global Heads of State.

The children concluded that: “If these problems are not solved, we wonder how our islands will be by the time we grow up into adults……We want our beautiful islands to remain beautiful and to live a happy, contented and civilized life in these islands.”

Speaking about the event, the President said:

“The biggest challenge facing our country is climate change and its varied impacts. These threaten our sustainable developmental aspirations, our fragile ecosystems and the very existence of our country. It is essential for the future of our nation and our children that the international community works together on these issues.”