Resident Coordinator Hao Commends Maldives' Advocacy for SIDS

This article is an English translation of an interview originally published in Dhivehi by PSM News on 24 August 2025.

• Recognition of Maldives' leadership in advocating for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
• Emphasis on the importance of collective action among island nations.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator to the Maldives, Hao Zhang, has commended the Maldives for its proactive role in advocating for the rights and interests of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Resident Coordinator made these remarks during an interview with PSM News regarding the SIDS Global Business Network Forum 2026, and the launch of the Island Investment Forum.

The Resident Coordinator highlighted the Maldives' significant contribution in hosting such high-level conferences and championing the unique challenges faced by small island nations.

He noted that the discussions taking place at the forum are highly relevant and meaningful for countries like the Maldives.

By sharing common challenges and working together as a unified bloc, SIDS can unlock diverse opportunities, the Resident Coordinator said.

Furthermore, he pointed out that despite the Maldives being an upper-middle-income country, it recently secured a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at concessional rates typically reserved for Least Developed Countries (LDCs). He attributed this achievement to the Maldives' status as a SIDS and emphasized the need for SIDS to strengthen collective efforts to access such favourable financial assistance.

Resident Coordinator Hao also noted that significant advancements in renewable energy, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Information Technology (IT) could transform the landscape for SIDS. He highlighted that by turning existing challenges into opportunities for development, these nations could advance sustainable climate adaptation. He stressed the importance of identifying accessible and affordable financing mechanisms tailored to the developmental needs of SIDS.

"For instance, the Maldives previously relied on fuel for electricity generation. However, the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, has paved the way for energy production independent of oil and petrol. Additionally, fields like drone technology, modern logistics, IT, and Artificial Intelligence are advancing daily," said the UN Resident Coordinator.

The Resident Coordinator emphasized that these technological advancements present unique opportunities to advance the economies of SIDS sustainably. Such innovations could help overcome long-standing challenges, including high energy costs and geographical connectivity issues. He added that SIDS have the potential to make progress through various avenues by leveraging new technologies to mitigate geographical disadvantages.

Resident Coordinator Hao highlighted insufficient progress in climate financing at the global level as a significant challenge for SIDS. He noted that although SIDS contribute minimally to global carbon emissions, they remain among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

"As I mentioned earlier, there are 39 SIDS. It is crucial for these nations to unite and share their concerns, experiences, and lessons learned. Most SIDS face similar challenges; therefore, the Maldives' initiative to bring these nations together to discuss these issues is an opportunity to utilize technology and collectively create a larger market," Resident Coordinator Hao Zhang stated.

The Resident Coordinator concluded by stating that, rather than focusing solely on income levels, international financial institutions should consider the specific vulnerabilities of SIDS when providing sustainable, concessional, and long-term financial support. He noted that this is vital for the development of SIDS and their efforts to build climate resilience.

This article is an English translation of an interview originally published in Dhivehi by PSM News on 24 August 2025.

Read the original article on PSM News