EU Statement by Commissioner Kadis – UN High-level Plenary Meeting on Sea-level Rise Plenary Meeting

Mister President,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have the pleasure of speaking on behalf of the EU and its 27 Member States.

Allow me first to thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this meeting, and Australia and Cabo Verde for their leadership in facilitating the Declaration on Sea-Level Rise.

As the Declaration underlines, sea-level rise is no longer a distant prediction. It is a reality.

Around the world, coastlines are retreating, freshwater resources are becoming saline, and ecosystems are under increasing pressure. For many small island developing states, low-lying coastal states, and communities in the Arctic, sea-level rise is already affecting livelihoods, infrastructure and cultural heritage, with serious implications for human security, stability and sustainable development. 

The European Union and its Member States stand in solidarity with all those already living with these consequences.

First, we must address the root cause: climate change. This requires ambitious mitigation action and multilateral cooperation under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. Every fraction of a degree matters. The choices we make today will shape the scale of sea-level rise for generations.

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, investing in resilient infrastructure and nature-based solutions. Healthy marine and coastal ecosystems are themselves a vital source of resilience.

In the European Union, we are advancing these priorities through the European Ocean Pact and through our strategies for islands and coastal communities, aimed at strengthening climate resilience, protecting marine ecosystems and supporting sustainable livelihoods.

Third, our response must be grounded in the best available science. The work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change remains central. Reliable observations, robust climate projections and accessible data are essential for informed decision-making. 

Through OceanEye, our new initiative to strengthen ocean observation and knowledge, the EU is stepping up its contribution to ocean science. Yesterday, together with Canada, we launched a global alliance to strengthen ocean observation worldwide and help us better anticipate and respond to ocean change, including sea-level rise.

Excellencies,

Sea-level rise also raises important legal questions. The European Union and its Member States remain firmly committed to international law and to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the legal framework governing the ocean. Legal certainty, stability and predictability must remain at the heart of our collective response. In this context, we 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.

Responding to sea-level rise cannot fall on the most affected countries alone. The European Union and its Member States will continue working with all partners to strengthen resilience, support adaptation and safeguard our shared ocean for present and future generations.

Thank you.