UNSC Open Debate

Sea Level Rise – Implications for International

Peace and Security

Statement by Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj

Permanent Representative of India to the UN

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Thank you, Mr. President.

Allow me to congratulate Malta on assuming the Presidency of the Security Council. We also thank Malta for convening this Open Debate on this important issue. Our gratitude as well to the Secretary General, the President of the General Assembly and all the briefers for their valuable inputs.

2. Sea level rise is one of the important dimensions of climate change, which affects the world. According to the IPCC report, it is not globally uniform and varies regionally. The report further states that subsidence caused by human activities is currently the most important cause of relative sea level change in many delta regions. Non-climatic anthropogenic drivers will continue to increase the exposure and vulnerability of coastal communities to future sea-level rise and extreme sea level events in the absence of major adaptation efforts.

3. The effective response to sea level rise lies in enhancing protection measures; mitigation of risks and impacts on the coastal communities; land reclamation; managing realignment and eco-system-based adaptation. The approach to tackle sea level rise is therefore very clear. It is through transformative adaptation and mitigation. The IPCC report also points to the need of investments running into billions of US dollars for protection measures.

Mr. President,

4. The Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face disproportionate challenges to their social and economic development: their small size, remote location, vulnerability to sea level rise, high costs for energy and transportation, small resource base and high dependence on external markets put them at a huge disadvantage.

5. The challenges of the COVID pandemic, rising prices of fuel, fertilizer and food grains, and increasing geo-political tensions have further accentuated these vulnerabilities of the SIDS, and compounded developmental challenges across the world.

6. The SIDS are at the frontline of the challenge of climate change and sea level rise; they are the worst sufferers of a global problem they did not contribute to. Adaptation to climate change remains one of the highest priorities for SIDS. Reducing the vulnerabilities of SIDS and strengthening their resilience to climate change should be a collective responsibility of the international community. What we need now is to enhance action on all important policies that address climate change, including fulfilling the commitments on climate finance and technology transfer.

7. With a coastline of around 7500 kilometres and several groups of islands located far away from the mainland, India is cognizant of the adverse impacts of sea level rise. However, it is our considered submission that the Security Council is not the place to address climate related issues or even sea level rise. We have repeatedly underlined that there exists little scientific correlation or evidence of the impact of climate change on peace and security. The most equitable architecture to combat climate change is the UNFCCC process, where each member state has an equally important stake.

8. In this context, we have welcomed the setting up of the Loss and Damage Financial Facility at Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt and the inclusion of issues surrounding a sustainable lifestyle. The operationalization of the Fund needs to be expedited, so that the most vulnerable developing countries are adequately compensated.

Mr. President,

9. Given the history and backdrop of unkept promises on financial commitments, isn’t it ironical that developing countries are expected to bear the brunt of everything - the burden of developing climate resilience, industrialize without carbonizing, grapple with adverse climate events and lift millions out of poverty - all at the same time, while also managing disruptions and uncertainties in global supply chains.

10. Over simplification of causes of conflict will not help in resolving them; nor can it justify extreme policy measures. Climate change is more about development, less about peace and security. Choosing to place this in non-mandated forums, especially those where all members do not sit on an equal footing, may undermine the larger cause of securing climate justice.

Thank you!

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