November 11, 2022
2 mins read

Row erupts over Maldives’ Nasheed representing Lanka at COP27

Other prominent Maldivian politicians including former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom too have criticised Nasheed…writes Rahul Kumar

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed is at the COP Summit in Egypt as a climate change hero. Back home he is in the news for representing neighbouring Sri Lanka at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) event.

In Sri Lanka, the opposition parties are asking their government as to how Nasheed was made the representative at the climate change summit for a sovereign country.

Nasheed, a liberal politician advocating for democracy and climate change action, does not have many admirers back home. On Thursday, lawyer Ahmed Tholib filed a case before the Supreme Court pleading to remove Nasheed from the Parliament–where Nasheed is also the Speaker, reports the Maldivian media.

Citing Article 75 of the Maldivian Constitution, Tholib said that Nasheed’s representation of Sri Lanka at the COP 27 summit is contrary to his duties as an MP. The constitution says that “MPs should act in national interest and the welfare of the people. The Constitution also states that no member shall use his position to promote the personal interest of himself or any other person with whom he has a special relationship”.

A man walks past a board showing the 27th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, Nov. 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai/IANS)

Other prominent Maldivian politicians including former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom too have criticised Nasheed.

Meanwhile in Sri Lanka, opposition party MP Nalin Bandara questioned his government as to why Nasheed was sent as a representative of Sri Lanka and not a Sri Lankan national.

Nasheed enjoys much respect in Sri Lanka.

Barely a month back, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe had appointed Nasheed as his International Climate Advisor.

Earlier in May this year, during the peak of the Sri Lankan economic crisis, Wickremesinghe had appointed Nasheed as aid advisor as well. International relations experts had told India Narrative that the move was to help Sri Lanka in international negotiations over humanitarian aid.

Known globally for holding an underwater cabinet meeting of his ministers to highlight the risk of global warming for small islands like the Maldives, Nasheed is a known climate hero.

Many people in his country have risen to his defence.

Communications Director of the Maldivian parliament, Hassan Ziyau said that Nasheed’s expenses for the trip are being borne by the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) — a group of countries most affected by climate change.

Another defence in favour of Nasheed was that environment issues represent the whole of humanity and the Maldives and Sri Lanka being island nations share similar policies on climate change issues.

ALSO READ: Lanka set to repatriate 303 from Vietnam
Previous Story

Militants overrun Waziristan police station

Next Story

9 Indians among 10 killed in Maldives fire

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan on the Brink: War, Weakness, Woes

The reason behind growing anxiety and consternation in Islamabad is the depleting reserves of its military’s artillery and ammunition and also a ruined economy…reports Asian Lite News As the tensions between India

UAE Reopens Doors to Lebanon

The prime minister expressed Lebanon’s “utmost gratitude and appreciation to the UAE” and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan….reports Asian Lite News Lebanon welcomed the decision by the United Arab Emirates

Over 45,000 affected by Somalia flash floods 

The Horn of Africa is one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change, and extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent and intense  More than 45,000 people have been affected by

UNSC Convenes Over India-Pak Crisis

Pakistan is currently an elected member of the Council and will participate in the meeting….reports Asian Lite News The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will be holding a closed-door meeting on Monday

Trump Declares Trade War on Foreign Films

He accused other countries of offering all sorts of incentives and drawing filmmakers and studios away from the US….reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump on Monday (Indian time) announced a
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Lanka to boost remittance inflows from migrant workers

Migrant workers’ remittance is one of the main sources of

Lankan Navy arrests 6 Indian fishermen

Six fishermen are now in the custody of the Sri