PGA remarks at COP28 Ministerial Meeting of the C-SET

Remarks by the President of the General Assembly

H.E. Dennis Francis

at the Ministerial Meeting of the C-SET at COP28

Dubai, UAE

1 December 2023

 

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

I am honoured, and at the same time humbled, to address this Ministerial Meeting of the Coalition on Sea-level rise and its Existential Threats.

 

Weeks ago – at the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Cook Islands – I had the opportunity to speak with many of the leaders here today, as well as a range of other stakeholders.

 

In every conversation, I heard a variation of the same thing – sea-level rise is happening, it will continue to happen, and we need to be prepared, in every essence of the word.

 

From evaluating infrastructure to social systems, from the preservation of cultural heritage to the protection of statehood, preparations must get underway.

 

As a citizen of a small island state, I completely understand those concerns.

 

Sea levels are the silent drumbeat of climate change – a relentless reminder that both our actions or lack thereof, echo across the oceans and reverberate against every shore.

 

This challenge is raising stark, sensitive questions around the future of statehood, territorial and maritime boundaries, and the forcible movement of persons in the impacted regions.

 

The situation carries wide implications – beyond the crushing impacts on livelihoods and communities, spanning environmental, legal, political, technical, economic, cultural, and human rights dimensions. 

 

The ever-increasing frequency and intensity of extreme sea-level events – such as coastal storm surge and flooding – are destroying cherished homes and uprooting generations of families.

 

This results in the loss of territory, to be certain, but also in the erosion of the rich cultural and unique historical heritage of entire generations, nations, and regions.

 

 

 

Excellencies,

 

While domestic policies can support resilience, might provide some relief, long-term prospects depend critically on the global community’s ability and willingness to prevent destructive climate scenarios.

 

As President of the General Assembly, I am determined to ensure that the issue of sea-level rise receives the utmost attention it deserves, and that small island developing states receive the full support of the international community to protect their homes, homelands, and heritage.

 

My Presidency has focused firmly on the climate crisis – prioritising the plight of those most vulnerable.

 

That is why I held a High-Level Breakfast Summit during the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week in September; it is why I hosted an Informal Plenary Meeting in the Assembly in October; and it is also why I attended the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting.

 

If we are to be successful in this campaign, we must maintain momentum.

 

We need urgent, collective action to meaningfully address the devastating and adverse impacts of sea-level rise.

 

We need to strengthen and expand partnerships. And we need to empower frontline communities at high risk to defensive and even preventive action.

 

Mindful of the principle of cause and effect, we owe it, as if by debt, to all those affected to ensure predictability, sustainability, and security amid the climate crisis – and to advance a collective approach that prioritizes the foundational pledge to leave no one behind.

 

The messages I carry with me here at COP28 are the same messages I will bring forward to the Fourth International Conference of Small Island Developing States, in May, in Antigua and Barbuda.

 

Excellencies,

 

Let me close by congratulating the co-chairs (Germany and Tuvalu) for leading the C-SET and group of champion countries, for their engaged support.

 

I highly commend the efforts of the coalition of countries for addressing Sea-Level Rise and its Existential Threats – in supporting our common objective of building community resilience and protecting the heritage and culture of affected communities, and engagement with the relevant stakeholders.

 

I am extremely hopeful that through our collective strategic endeavours this existential matter is increasingly considered at the highest levels of decision-making.

No effort should be spared to safeguard and indeed to guarantee the inalienability of affected Member States’ sovereignty and statehood.

I look forward to engaging with you, here and again in New York at the General Assembly, on how together – we can chart a sustainable path forward in the interest of justice.

 

 

I thank you.