UN passes first declaration on sea level rise, protecting island nations’ sovereignty

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Briefings

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously approved a declaration on sea level rise, marking a rare victory for multilateralism as the U.S. avoided blocking the resolution. The agreement affirms that small island nations can maintain their maritime zones and statehood even if their landmass disappears, echoing an International Court of Justice ruling. It also recognizes developed nations' urgent obligation to provide expanded adaptation funds, though the text notes this alone does not increase financial aid. Key figures include Prime Minister Philip Davis of the Bahamas and Kamal Amakrane, who highlighted the legal and political significance of the move. The document enshrines protections against deep-sea mining and industrial exploitation of ocean territory. Despite the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and rejection of international aid obligations elsewhere, the UN declaration represents a significant step forward for low-lying states facing total inundation.

Key points

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously approved a declaration on sea level rise, with the United States successfully avoiding a vote block.

The declaration affirms that small island nations can maintain their maritime zones and statehood even if their landmass disappears, echoing an International Court of Justice ruling.

Context and limitations

The text provides limited context on the specific timeline of the UN General Assembly session and does not detail the exact composition of the Alliance of Small Island States or the specific amounts of adaptation funds mentioned.

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