UNGA High-level PLENARY meeting on

“Addressing the existential threats posed by Sea-level rise”

25 September 2024, New York

Statement by Secretary (West)

Mr President,

India is often referred to as a subcontinent, one whose coastline runs into thousands of km and has thousands of islands. India represents one sixth of global population, and one third of Indians live along this vast coastline, drawing sustenance from blue economy.

Sea level rise is a real threat for India.

India, therefore, acutely understands the vulnerability of small island states.

A recent study found that some critical infrastructure in six of our key cities¹ could be submerged by 2050 due to rise in sea level. India is taking several steps to counter this.

• A Coastal Vulnerability Index mapping to facilitate an integrated approach.
  
  

• A Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) has been launched.
  
  

• We are examining traditional coastal zone management strategies to mitigate risk.
  
  

• India has also developed early warning systems with real-time information on major disasters like floods and cyclones.
  
  

A 2022 analysis by RMSI, a global risk management firm, found that some critical properties and road networks in Mumbai, Kochi, Mangalore, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram will be submerged by 2050 due to rising sea levels.

India has also shared our experiences and provided support to partners, particularly in our neighbourhood. One such initiative is in support of the UN ‘Early Warning for All’ initiative.

We are working with partners in the Global South, through initiatives such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), which we helped launch in 2019.

CDRI has a unique initiative - the Infrastructure for Resilient Islands States Initiative (IRIS) that is co-owned, co-managed and co-operated by SIDS. This programme recently won the 2024 UN SIDS Partnerships Award.

India supports SIDS partners through the India-UN Development Fund.

India also works with partners at the Indian Ocean Rim Association IORA and Indian Ocean Commission IOC.

Earlier today, our External Affairs Minister signed the BBNJ Treaty, that also deals with environmental assessment among other issues.

India has also shared our experiences and provided support to partners, particularly in our neighbourhood¹. One such initiative is in support of the UN ‘Early Warning for All’ initiative.

We are working with partners in the Global South, through initiatives such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), which we helped launch in 2019.

CDRI has a unique initiative - the Infrastructure for Resilient Islands States Initiative (IRIS) that is co-owned, co-managed and co-operated by SIDS. This programme recently won the 2024 UN SIDS Partnerships Award.

India supports SIDS partners through the India-UN Development Fund.

India also works with partners at the Indian Ocean Rim Association IORA and Indian Ocean Commission IOC.

Earlier today, our External Affairs Minister signed the BBNJ Treaty, that also deals with environmental assessment among other issues.

Mr. President,

India will continue to engage actively with our partners, especially the SIDS & LDCs on Knowledge & technology sharing and Capacity building, including through satellite-based sea level monitoring, early warning systems, climate modelling, as well as incorporating traditional knowledge of coastal communities, to empower them in safeguarding their own interests.

Thank you