Global Citizen Laureate: Mohamed Nasheed

Today, more than 120 million people worldwide have been forced from their homes, with three-quarters originating from nations struggling under severe climate stress. In many cases, these crises unfold alongside conflict, as seen in places like Haiti, Myanmar, and Somalia. A recent UNHCR report forecasts that by 2040 the number of countries facing extreme climate pressures could skyrocket from just three to 65, and by mid-century, many refugee sites may endure twice as many dangerously hot days.

It is within this urgent global context that Hon. Mohamed Nasheed’s climate activism stands out. His selection as the 2024 Global Citizen Award laureate honors not least his role as Secretary-General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) — now representing 70 nations on the frontlines of a warming world. Nasheed’s work highlights how climate action can help prevent the displacement of millions and ensure a future in which vulnerable communities are not forced to abandon their homelands.

From Prisoner to President to Climate Advocate

On a May evening in 2021, an explosion ripped through the streets of Malé, the densely packed capital of the Maldives. The target was Hon. Mohamed Nasheed, the country’s first democratically elected president and a vocal climate champion. After four surgeries and weeks of recovery, Nasheed didn’t retreat. Instead, he emerged more determined to tackle what he sees as the twin threats to human survival: authoritarianism and climate change.

The Maldives, a string of coral islands barely rising above the Indian Ocean, offers a vivid preview of climate change’s advancing threat. The nation’s highest point sits just 2.4 meters above sea level, with forecasts suggesting many islands could be submerged by 2050. During his presidency, Nasheed captured global attention with the world’s first underwater cabinet meeting — ministers in scuba gear signing documents to highlight rising seas. The images struck a global chord, symbolizing the peril facing communities that may soon be forced to leave their ancestral lands.

Nasheed’s path to climate advocacy emerged amid the struggle for democracy. Dubbed the “Mandela of the Maldives”, he was imprisoned under Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s regime. Despite all the challenges he has endured in the past, today his focus is firmly on climate solutions. Under his leadership, the CVF’s Climate Prosperity Plans show how vulnerable countries can leapfrog fossil fuels and build resilient, renewable-powered economies. These initiatives have attracted billions in investment, proving that climate adaptation can drive development and help people remain in their homelands rather than being uprooted.

Inspiring global action and meaningful change

The Maldives aims to generate 70% of its electricity from solar power by 2030. Under Nasheed’s guidance, the CVF has moved its member nations beyond pleading for help to proposing real solutions. His climate advocacy has persisted despite the 2021 assassination attempt, which underscored the potency of his message and the threats faced by those who stand up for global justice.

Nasheed’s record of accomplishment is extraordinary. Beyond being named an Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience, he has received honors like the UN Champions of the Earth award, the Anna Lindh Prize for human rights and environmental protection, and the James Lawson Award for non-violent conflict resolution. Time Magazine named him a “Hero of the Environment”, and Newsweek included him among the World’s Ten Best Leaders. His story reached global audiences through the acclaimed documentary The Island President.

At the Henley & Partners Global Citizen Award ceremony in Singapore, Nasheed joined a group of humanitarian leaders who have dedicated their lives to uplifting vulnerable populations. Past laureates include, among others, Harald Höppner of Sea-Watch, Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman of Gift of the Givers, and Zannah Bukar Mustapha, who helped free kidnapped schoolgirls in Nigeria. Presented by Henley & Partners in partnership with the Andan Foundation, the award comes with a monetary prize that goes toward supporting the awardee’s humanitarian efforts.

Nasheed’s journey from prisoner to president to global climate champion demonstrates how personal courage can spark worldwide action. As vulnerable nations face escalating climate impacts and the forced migration that ensues, his leadership encourages solidarity and innovation. His example shows that confronting climate change is not merely an environmental imperative — it’s essential to prevent mass displacement and ensuring that communities can thrive where they are.

Nasheed’s story proves that in the fight against climate change, the most powerful leadership comes from those whose survival is at stake. Decades of struggle have taught him that the path to global resilience and stability depends on protecting people’s right to remain in their homelands, cultivating sustainable solutions, and forging a common future for all.