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Excellencies, distinguished delegates

The science on sea-level rise is clear: sea level rise is by now unavoidable for centuries to millennia to come due to continuing deep ocean warming and ice sheet and glacier melt, and sea levels will remain elevated for thousands of years. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ welcomes the convening of this very important meeting, as it is essential that the international community takes joint and coordinated action to address the multiple impacts of sea-level rise, many of which amount to existential threats for people and communities, as well as other species and ecosystems.  Work such as that conducted by the International Law Commission Study Group on Sea-Level rise in relation to international law is essential in allowing us to understand the challenge better.

Multilateral agreements, customary international law, the guidance of international judicial bodies, and implementation into national law provide ready tools for spatial planning, cooperation, and capacity building that address the cause of and support adaptation to sea level rise. The effective implementation of existing agreements should therefore be accelerated.

In accordance with international law, states are required to take measures to address the adverse impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise, to marine living resources. Such measures must embody a precautionary approach as well as an ecosystem approach. In complying with their duties to protect and preserve the marine environment from the impacts of climate change, States Parties’ obligations are further shaped by other norms flowing from general international law. An important obligation, in this regard, is the responsibility to prevent significant environmental damage to the territory of other states or to areas beyond national jurisdiction, such as the high seas.

Existing international agreements also include obligations to prevent pollution and further sea-level rise. States have the legal obligation under UNCLOS to take all necessary measures with a stringent degree of due diligence to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions from all sources. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ calls all state parties to effectively implement those obligations by promoting nature-based solutions to climate change through protected areas and other area-based management tools and conserving and restoring marine ecosystems. Furthermore, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ stresses that states have a legal obligation under UNCLOS and under customary international law to conduct an environmental impact assessment to address marine pollution from anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.

The international legal framework provides us with the tools to address sea-level rise. What is needed is enhanced implementation of existing agreements in an inclusive and participatory manner, respecting human rights, especially the rights of vulnerable people most affected by sea-level rise.

Thank you