UK Statement at the High-level Plenary Meeting to Address the Existential Threats Posed by Sea-level Rise

The United Kingdom welcomes the adoption of the UN Declaration on Sea-Level Rise, and thanks Australia and Cabo Verde for their leadership as co-facilitators.

For many countries represented in this room, sea-level rise is not a distinct threat; it is a present reality.

A reality that affects homes, livelihoods, and the future of entire communities.

This declaration, the first United Nations membership-wide political response on sea-level rise, has shown that the international community can come together to address one of the greatest challenges of our time.

Today’s adoption is a visible demonstration of international support for communities most vulnerable to its impact.

The United Kingdom welcomes the declaration’s grounding in the best available science, and its recognition of the risks posed by sea-level rise. 

We also welcome its focus on adaptation, resilience, and practical cooperative action.

Throughout these negotiations, the United Kingdom has worked constructively towards a balanced outcome that supports the priorities of small island developing states while protecting important principles on climate governance, finance, and international law. 

We welcome the continued primacy of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. 

The United Kingdom recognises the importance of the legal dimensions of sea-level rise, including continuity of statehood and maritime zones.

We reaffirm the importance of implementing international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Low-lying states are facing an urgent and unprecedented threat from rising sea levels. 

That is why we have recently announced a significant change in policy, with a starting point to continue to recognise statehood.

Whether a state lost some or even all of its land to sea-level rise, we will ensure we consider the circumstances in each case, including the wishes of the people of the affected state.

And the United Kingdom’s £330 million pledge to the ninth replenishment of the Global Environment Facility that the Foreign Secretary announced this week is a further demonstration of our commitment to action.

This new funding will help the GEF continue to address global challenges, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing biodiversity loss, with increased support for vulnerable SIDs and LDCs. 

Today’s declaration is an important step.

The task now is to turn shared commitment into practical action.

The communities most affected by sea-level rise deserve nothing less.