Former Maldivian President says Green Growth Plan for Sri Lanka now under review

By Kelum Bandara

Mohamed Nasheed, former President of the Maldives and a globally recognised climate advocate, said the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) created a Climate Prosperity Plan for Sri Lanka, which is now under review by the new government.

Making his remarks to the Daily Mirror, he said that the plan is a long-term green development strategy, and many African countries are adopting our plans.

“It’s exciting that we, the CVF, are participating in the African Union Summit. Africa can leapfrog old, obsolete fossil fuel technology and move towards green growth and prosperity,” he said.

Sri Lanka’s former envoy to Nairobi Kana  Kananathan accompanied Mr. Nasheed, to the African Union (AU) Annual Summit convened in Addis Ababa.

President Nasheed serves as Secretary-General of the CVF Secretariat, based in Accra, Ghana. The CVF brings together seventy-four (74) climate-vulnerable nations across the globe, including thirty-two (32) African countries, united in promoting bold climate policies, reinforcing resilience, and championing climate justice in international forums.

The AU Annual Summit served as a key opportunity to engage with African heads of state and senior officials on common priorities, with particular emphasis on climate action, sustainable development pathways, and Africa’s green growth agenda.

On the sidelines of the Summit, Mr. Kananathan and President Nasheed held a bilateral discussion with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kenya Musalia Mudavadi, and the Kenyan delegation. Talks centred on deepening cooperation in climate initiatives, strengthening adaptive capacity, unlocking climate financing, and building strategic partnerships to advance mitigation and adaptation efforts throughout Africa.