Maldives ministers plan underwater cabinet meeting

The government of the Maldives is to hold a cabinet meeting underwater to highlight the threat of global warming.

President Mohamed Nasheed and his cabinet will sign a document during the 17 October dive, calling for global cuts in carbon emissions.

An adviser to the president said the dive was "a bit of fun" but the cabinet intended to send a serious message about rising sea levels. The low-lying island nation says it faces being wiped out if oceans rise.



The adviser said ministers would communicate during the meeting using hand signals and waterproof boards and pens.

"Obviously the hand signals that divers can use are limited, so the amount of work the cabinet are going to get done will be limited," he said.

"But they will call on all nations - rich and poor, developed and developing - to take climate change seriously."