Remarks by the President of the General Assembly
H.E. Dennis Francis
At the High-Level Panel on Protecting Statehood, Sovereignty, and Heritage amidst the Climate Crisis at COP28
Dubai, UAE
2 December 2023
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Heads of State and Government,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
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It is a real pleasure to be co-host of this timely High-Level Panel alongside the Director-General of International Organization for Migration, Ms. Amy Pope.
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Allow me to express my sincere appreciation to the Global Centre for Climate Mobility for organizing this discussion.
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It is, for me, a special honour to welcome you ¨C the global leaders ¨C whose visionary stewardship is deeply valued as we confront the complicated questions and repercussions of the climate crisis.
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I say complex questions because they speak to the core multidimensional issues of culture and identity, statehood, and not least of all, the sovereignty of States.
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On the one hand we are talking legalese; on the other, we are discussing the very soul and spirit of nations, and of the identity of the many diverse people that encapsulate these nations.
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It must be recognized that climate impacts ¨C such as sea-level rise ¨C are already in motion and, in many cases, irreversibly existential and leaving us without a choice but to ask ourselves: what then?
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Do we stand idly by as the rising seas wash away small island nations and generation upon generation of unique history and culture, or do we act now to protect and preserve?
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My friends, I have chosen the latter.
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I am ensuring that my Presidency of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly firmly focuses on the climate crisis. Of which I view the issues of statehood and sovereignty as being among those at the forefront, indeed the centre of this crisis.?
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Therefore, in September co-hosted several high-level events and also convened a General Assembly Informal Plenary
Meeting in October for Member States and stakeholders to reflect on the consequences of sea-level rise. I thank your delegations for their support.
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I also spotlighted this issue during my recent visit to the Cook Islands for the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting and continue to do so here at COP28.
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What I took away from the Pacific, is that there is broad regional support to act and to protect the homes, homelands, and heritage of Small Island Developing States.
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Pacific Leaders recognize the catastrophic threats posed by sea-level rise to the political, social, economic, and cultural fabric ¨C and consequently, in partnership with communities on the frontlines, they are seeking innovative solutions.
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Thankfully, they are not alone.
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The Secretary-General¡¯s Our Common Agenda report has called upon the international community to act ¡°on territorial threats of climate change and to prevent, protect, and resolve situations of environmental displacement.¡±?
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What those solutions entail, however, remains unclear and undefined.
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I am hopeful that at least the final outcomes of this COP will spotlight rising sea levels and the present climate emergency confronting Small Island Developing States in the Pacific, the Caribbean, and around the world.
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And I hope that these conclusions are backed by necessary action, in response to the lingering questions:
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What efforts can we take to empower communities and shore up resilience?
How can we effectively protect against the loss of culture and heritage?
And what avenues exist to ensure that the status of statehood and sovereignty are never a cause for anxiety or doubt?
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In that light, I welcome the Rising Nations Initiative (RNI) ¨C a Member States-led initiative, guided by a core group of champions, aimed at pressing forward efforts to preserve the sovereignty, rights, culture, and heritage of SIDS in the face of the existential threats posed by sea-level rise.?
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Excellencies, Esteemed Colleagues,
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We all recognize the magnitude of the forces at play ¨C it is time to find solutions that serve both people and planet. I look to you for collective guidance to the world ¨C by sharing your experiences, thoughts, and expectations.
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This is an opportune time, and a propitious place to take decisive steps; to refine our understanding of the dynamics of sea-level rise ¨C and to build momentum for urgent and targeted action.
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This includes addressing the speculations around the continuity of statehood and protecting the maritime territorial integrity of Member States. It includes robust advocacy and enhanced political action on relevant legal issues.
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And decidedly, it includes mobilizing a coalition of like-minded countries to ensure that Small Island Developing States and low-lying coastal States are prioritized in climate action and climate finance.
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The cultural heritage of countries threatened by sea-level rise must be safeguarded, sustaining their livelihoods, and strengthening their resilience.
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I look forward to your discussions today on how you envision to shore-up support and to make this happen.
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I thank you.
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