Ministry Statements & Speeches:
New Zealand aligns with the statement made by Tonga on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum and the statement made by Germany on behalf of the Coalition on Addressing Sea level Rise and its Existential Threats.
New Zealand wishes to take this opportunity to warmly congratulate Australia and Cabo Verde on their appointments and for taking on the responsibility to lead us towards a successful outcome on the political declaration ahead.
As a Pacific nation, working with our partners on sea-level rise is an enduring priority for New Zealand. Consistent with the sovereign equality of states, the international community should respond to the priorities of small nations, as well as the large. When the most affected States are telling us that sea-level rise is one of their most pressing issues of concern, we must cooperate to respond to those concerns.
Sea-level rise is quite simply a critical issue for Small Island Developing States and low-lying coastal states. Pacific Leaders have made clear that climate change and sea-level rise are the defining issues that imperil the livelihoods and wellbeing of Pacific peoples.
Accordingly, the Pacific Islands Forum has led the way on the legal dimensions of sea-level rise. Through their landmark declarations, the Leaders of the 18 members of the Pacific Islands Forum have made clear their position that our statehood, sovereignty and maritime zones will continue notwithstanding sea-level rise. Forum Leaders also endorsed the landmark Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility in November 2023, which articulates a set of principles and priorities for a collective approach that protects cultural heritage, identity and dignity.
New Zealand has been actively supporting Pacific-led efforts to address this complex challenge, including by funding work to implement the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility and technical assistance to countries working through strategies and plans to deal with the impact of sea-level rise and climate change on communities.
There is also convergence among the international community on the importance of legal stability and the continuation of sovereign rights and entitlements, including maritime zones.
In this regard it was significant that in 2024, the UN General Assembly for the first time had a high-level meeting on sea-level rise. New Zealand was proud to co-chair a panel on the legal dimensions of sea-level rise at the 2024 high-level meeting, following our co facilitation of preparations for it alongside Costa Rica.
This meeting was an important milestone. States unequivocally affirmed the importance of equity, solidarity and international cooperation to address sea-level rise. This meeting has also paved the way for an action-orientated declaration on sea-level rise this year.
To carry this momentum forward, New Zealand agrees with others that the four themes of the 2024 high-level meeting panels should serve as the general framework for the political declaration.
For the first theme of knowledge, data and science, we agree with others that the political declaration reaffirm that decisions relating to sea-level rise must be based on the best science, and underscore the importance of the scientific community continuing to produce data on probabilities and impacts of sea-level rise.
For the second theme of adaptation, finance and resilience, the political declaration should state that adaptation must be guided by science and highlight the need for local financing options, such as the Pacific Resilience Facility. The declaration should also note that sea-level rise induced-migration must be rights-based and people-centred, in accordance with the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility.
For the third theme of livelihoods, socioeconomic challenges and culture and heritage, New Zealand hopes to see the declaration reaffirming that sea-level rise impacts sustainable development, that culture and heritage must be protected in the context of sea-level rise, and that solutions must be locally-led.
For the fourth and last theme of legal dimensions, New Zealand proposes that the declaration should reflect the positions of the Pacific Island Forum on maritime zones, statehood continuity, protection of persons, and the duty to cooperate. Examples such as the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union bilateral treaty, are illustrations of giving real effect to PIF positions on statehood continuity, and can be instructive to the wider discussion.
We hope to see the declaration also appropriately reflect the conclusions in the final consolidated report of the International Law Commission on sea-level rise in relation to international law, and the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change.
All states should be cognisant of the reality that sea-level rise is a global phenomenon that will have implications for all. That is why it is essential that the UN General Assembly has an enduring focus on this issue. The high-level meeting, and the steps it initiates, is an opportunity to advance the international cooperation needed to address sea-level rise.
New Zealand is committed to working with a diverse coalition to urgently address the impacts of sea-level rise and protect communities and nations from it. We value this opportunity to continue the focus on this challenge and look forward to contributing to the process and the work of the co-facilitators.
Thank you.