President Nasheed of the Maldives Speaks at Copenhagen Climate Change Summit

Speaking last night at the climate change summit in Copenhagen, President Mohammed Nasheed of the Maldives gave a speech that moved many environmental activists around the world.  He compared the plight of the Maldives to Gandhi’s plight in India and as far as environmentalists are concerned, President Nasheed is now something of a rock star.  The transcript of his speech follows:

Full text of Mohamed Nasheed’s speech as given at Klimaforum, 14 Dec. 2009

Mr McKibben, fellow environmentalists, ladies and gentlemen,

Four years ago myself, and many fellow activists, sat in solitary confinement in Maldivian prison cells. We sat in those jail cells not because we had committed any wrong. We sat in those cells because we had deliberately broken the unjust laws of dictatorship. We had spoken out for a cause in which we believed. That cause was freedom and democracy.

There were times, sitting in that prison, when I felt more alone than you can imagine. There were times when I started to believe the doubters, who said the Maldives would never become free. Sometimes it felt like the doubters were right. The dictatorship had the guns, bombs and tanks. We had no weapons other than the power of our words, and the moral clarity of our cause. Many democracy activists like us had vanished, forgotten by history, their struggle a failure.

But, in spite of the odds, we refused to give up hope.We refused to listen to the voices of doubt and discouragement. We refused to be swayed by those who could not see that change was on the way. And we were right to stand up for what we believed.

We won our battle for democracy in the Maldives. I stand before you today as the first democratically elected President in the history of my country.

The path to democracy in the Maldives was not straight-forward. It was bumpy and full of turns. But we were determined that no matter how difficult the terrain, we would reach the end of the road. And we succeeded in our cause.

Four years later and a continent away, we meet here to confront another seemingly impossible task. We are here to save our planet from the silent, patient and invisible enemy that is climate change.

And just as there were doubters in the Maldives, so there are doubters in Copenhagen. There are those who tell us that solving climate change is impossible. There are those who tell us taking radical action is too difficult. There are those who tell us to give up hope.

Well, I am here to tell you that we refuse to give up hope. We refuse to be quiet.We refuse to believe that a better world isn’t possible.

I have three words to say to the doubters and deniers. Three words with which to win this battle. Just three words are all I need. You may already have heard them. Three – Five – Oh. Three – Five – Oh.

Three – Five – Oh, saves the coral reefs. Three – Five – Oh, keeps the Arctic frozen. Three – Five – Oh, ensures my country survives. Three – Five – Oh, makes a better world possible.

I am here to tell you that down the road in the Bella Center the Maldives team is fighting to keep Three – Five – Oh in the negotiating text.

They need all the help they can get from you. Please keep supporting them.

And the good news is that we are now part of a growing bloc of nations, all committed to keeping Three – Five – Oh as the central guiding goal of our global survival plan.

These nations need your help and support too.

I am not a scientist, but I know that one of the laws of physics, is that you cannot negotiate with the laws of physics. Three – Five – Oh is a law of atmospheric physics. You cannot cut a deal with Mother Nature. And we don’t intend to try.

This is why, in March, the Maldives announced plans to become the first carbon neutral country in the world. We intend to become carbon neutral in ten years. We will switch from oil to 100% renewable energy. And we will offset aviation pollution, until a way can be found to decarbonise air transport too.

For us, going carbon neutral is not just the right thing to do. We believe it is also in our economic self-interest. Countries that have the foresight to green their economies today, will be the winners of tomorrow. These pioneering countries will free themselves from the unpredictable price of foreign oil. They will capitalize on the new, green economy of the future. And they will enhance their moral standing, giving them greater political influence on the world stage. In the Maldives, we have relinquished our claim to high-carbon growth.

After all, it is not carbon we want, but development. It is not coal we want, but electricity. It is not oil we want, but transport. Low-carbon technologies now exist, to deliver all the goods and services we need. Let us make the goal of using them.

Let us make the goal of reaching that all-important number: three – five – oh.

We believe that if the Maldives can become carbon neutral; richer, larger countries can follow. But if there is one thing I know about politicians, it’s that they won’t act until their electorates act first. This is where you come in.

History shows us the power of peaceful protest. From the civil rights movement, to Gandhi’s Quit India campaign; non-violent protest can create change. Protest worked in the struggle for democracy in the Maldives. And on 24 October, we saw how protests across the world put Three – Five – Oh firmly on the Copenhagen agenda.

My message to you is to continue the protests. Continue after Copenhagen. Continue despite the odds. And eventually, together, we will reach that crucial number: Three – five – oh.

In all political agreements, you have to be prepared to negotiate. You have to be prepared to compromise; to give and take. That is the nature of politics. But physics isn’t politics. On climate change, there are things on which we cannot negotiate. There are scientific bottom lines that we have to respect. We know what the laws of physics say. And I think you know too.

The most important number in the world. The most important number you’ll ever hear. The most important number you’ll ever say. These three words: Three – five – oh. (Three – five – oh) (Three – five – oh).

A Day of Charity Fun for President Nasheed of the Maldives

The President of Maldives and the First Lady took a day off from their busy schedule of running the country to take part in a charity football match of the People’s Majlis held last August 9th, 2009. As well as President Mohamed Nasheed, the esteemed guests included Dr. Mohammed Waheed Hassan, the Vice President and other dignitaries.

Anniversary Celebration of The Maldives’ Constitution

The football match was an event in itself, marking the first anniversary of the ratified Constitution. The Maldives’ first constitution was first proclaimed in 1932 under the rule of Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen III. In June 2008, a new constitution was drawn up, with the help of an assembly called the Special Majlis. Ratified by the President on August 7, 2008, the constitution brought about some significant changes which included a provision which stated that “a non-muslim may not become a citizen of the Maldives,” thereby effectively removing citizenship from around three thousand Maldivians, or around 0.85% of the population.

The Peoples’ Majlis and the Maldives’ Constitution

The Peoples’ Majlis is the main legislative body of the Maldives, having the authority to enact, amend and revise laws, with the exception of the Constitution. Composed of 77 members, the Maljis is opened by the President with a speech where he outlines his policies and achievements in his presidential term. Another one of the prime functions of the Majis is to pass the annual state budget.

Football Match Commemorates Maldives New Constitution

Members of the Kendhoo constituency as represented by Ahmed Thasmeen Ali’s team pit their football skills against Reeko Moosa Manik’s team, who represented members of the Hulhu-Henveyru constituency. Ahmed Thasmeen Ali , born in 1967, is the former Minister of Atoll Development in the Maldives, who introduced many modern scientific methods of investigation in the Maldives Police Service; while Reeko Moosa Manik is a member of Parliament for Laamu Atoll. Thasmeen’s team proved to be the victors, winning 2-3 over Reeko Moosa Manik’s team.

Charity Fun Day for Maldives Constitution Anniversary

A fun day all in all, the players and members of the team were given a treat when the President and Vice President met with them and congratulated them on a game well played. In the spirit of charity, the players’ jersey, as well as the game-winning ball were auctioned off, with the proceeds of the auction donated to the Kudakudhingé hiyaa at Malé-Villingili.