The launch of the Sea- level Rise Report - Press Conference | United Nations

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UN Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development Navid Hanif said, “We need to stop asking only what happens after the next flood. The objective must be to reduce the avoidable, not simply respond to the inevitable.” Briefing the press on the recently launched Sea- level Rise Report, Hanif said, “Global sea level rose by 4.7 millimeters a year between 2014 and 2023, but in 2024 it reached a record of 5.9 millimeters, and it's not a future risk anymore. It's present and accelerating.” He stressed, “This is not just an environmental challenge; it's a development emergency. Nearly one in 10 people worldwide already live in several coastal areas less than five meters above the high tide line. Rising sea threatens homes, livelihoods, ports, transport, energy, water systems, and public finances.” He continued, “We cannot stop sea level rise this century, but we can determine how much worse it becomes because about half a meter, 0.5 meter of sea level rise is already locked in in this century because of warming that has already occurred. But beyond that, our choices enormously matter.” Steven Hill, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs also said, “There is a presumption of continued statehood for countries that are facing land territory changes due to sea level rise so, even countries that might become submerged at some point. This is essential because the loss of physical territory could raise questions about nationality. We need to avoid the loss of nationality - that's clearly pointed out in the report - and we need to enable people to exercise their right to self-determination.”


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