EU Explanation of Position – UN General Assembly: Declaration on Sea Level Rise

President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. 

At the outset, we would like to thank the facilitators, Her Excellency Ms. Tania Romualdo of Cabo Verde and His Excellency Mr. James Larsen of Australia, and their teams for the excellent stewardship demonstrated in facilitating the negotiations on the first ever UN Declaration on Sea Level Rise. 

As the declaration underlines, sea-level rise is not a distant prediction, but a stark reality that is accelerating. Around the world, sea-level rise is already affecting ecosystems, livelihoods, infrastructure and cultural heritage, with serious implications for human security, societal stability, human rights and sustainable development. We stand in solidarity with all those already living with the consequences. We also commend the leadership of AOSIS and the Pacific Islands Forum, whose declarations and sustained advocacy have helped pave the way for this historic outcome.

President,

To address sea level rise, four actions are of crucial importance.

First, we must address climate change as the main driver of sea level rise. This requires ambitious mitigation action and multilateral cooperation under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. 

Second, we must prepare for impacts that can no longer be avoided and strengthen the resilience of our coasts and communities. This means improving early warning systems, advancing adaptation planning, and investing in resilient infrastructure, healthy marine and coastal ecosystems as well as nature-based solutions.

Third, our response must be based on the best available science. The EU is stepping up its contribution to ocean science and observation through our ‘OceanEye’ initiative. The EU and Canada also launched a new global alliance last month to strengthen ocean observation worldwide through the Global Ocean Observing System. This alliance has already mobilised around USD 250 million in commitments and brings together more than 30 members. We encourage all UN Member States to join this growing effort.

Fourth, legal certainty, stability and predictability must remain at the heart of our collective response. The EU and its Member States remain firmly committed to international law and to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which sets out the legal framework within which all activities in oceans and seas must be carried out. We also recall the important contributions of the International Law Commission’s final report on sea-level rise and the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change.

President,

With respect to the text of the declaration before us, we are pleased that it generally reflects the four actions just set out. We do regret, however that the declaration is very light on climate action. Crucially, it omits the causal relationship between human-induced climate change and sea level rise, the urgent need for ambitious climate change mitigation action, and the need to transition away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner. We are also disappointed that the declaration does not mention international peace and security and human security, and that it was not possible to agree on stronger language on UNCLOS and more comprehensive language on mobility with dignity where it involves international movement. Finally, we stress that technology transfer must take place on “voluntary and mutually agreed terms” and that finance must come “from all sources”. 

President,

The EU and its Member States are pleased to support this text. Today’s consensual adoption of the first ever UN Declaration on Sea Level Rise is an important step forward. It demonstrates that the world is united in addressing sea level rise through multilateral cooperation.

We look forward to continuing to work together with all Member States on addressing sea level rise in all relevant fora. I thank you.