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At the United Nations headquarters in New York City (USA), the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly held a discussion on the existential threat of rising sea levels in the context of the climate crisis.
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| Measures to protect the coast from rising sea levels are being taken in India. Photo: UN |
Ensuring security and sustainability
In his opening remarks, President of the United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis pointed out the increasingly widespread and obvious impacts of rising sea levels; at the same time, he called on the international community to share responsibility in supporting countries directly affected by this situation as well as other climate change phenomena.
Rising sea levels are also raising questions about national borders, sovereignty, maritime zones and UN membership, Francis said. He urged countries to ensure security and sustainability in the face of the climate crisis; and to work towards a collective approach to deliver on the call to “leave no one behind”.
Speakers and representatives of countries attending the meeting discussed the challenges posed by climate change and rising sea levels to security, development and livelihoods, especially in small island states and low-lying areas. Delegates called for increased action and finance to adapt to and respond to climate change...
Political will and international action
Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, emphasized the need to consider the issue of rising sea levels and all efforts and measures to address the impacts of this phenomenon based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
According to Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, in order to effectively address the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels, countries must be responsible for implementing their commitments and strengthening climate action and finance, including the commitments made at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP) and the Climate Ambition Summit in September 2023. Vietnam calls for accelerating the establishment of the Compensation Fund for Loss and Damage agreed upon by countries at COP27; taking into account the interests of countries in special circumstances, including small island states and countries most vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change in the action plan. Mobilizing the political will and action of the international community in supporting these countries is extremely important.
As one of the countries with a long coastline most severely affected by climate change, sea level rise and saltwater intrusion, Vietnam understands the impact of these phenomena on security and development. Therefore, Vietnam always strives to strengthen climate action to implement its commitments, including establishing the Partnership for a Just Energy Transition and developing a resource mobilization plan; ready to cooperate and share experiences, practices and lessons with other countries and partners to promote joint efforts to respond to climate change and sea level rise.
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