Remarks by the President of the General Assembly
H.E. Dennis Francis
At the high-level event, ¡®Rising Ocean¡¯, at COP28
Dubai, UAE
2 December 2023
?
?
Excellencies,
Honourable Ministers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
?
At the outset, let me thank the Governments of France and Costa Rica, co-hosts of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Ocean Conference 2025, along with the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ System and other partners, for organising this event.
?
The growing recognition of the ocean as a source of solutions ¨C spanning all our environmental endeavours ¨C is a welcome development.
?
COP28 is yet another critical steppingstone to build upon this momentum and to deliver on the various aspects of the ocean ¨C from addressing the impacts of sea-level rise, to realizing the potential of the sustainable ocean economy, and the relevance of investing in ocean science.
?
As President of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly, I have been clear in prioritizing the challenges of the climate crisis, with particular emphasis on the existential threats of sea-level rise. Here, at COP28, I am affirming the same message.
?
The reason for this is clear: even if we are successful at limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees, the impacts on small island developing states and low-lying coastal states are, in many instances, irreversible.
?
The 2023 synthesis report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change only reaffirms that, indeed, global mean sea level increased to 3.7 mm per year between 2006 and 2018.
?
The safety and survival of small island states and vulnerable coastal communities therefore hinge upon our ability to decisively tackle the threats of climate change and sea level rise.
?
We need to embrace adaptation and resilience ¨C while recognizing that uncomfortable conversations around sovereignty, displacement, and climate mobility, are becoming the new ¡®elephant in the room¡¯.
?
These are discussions that we simply can no longer avoid.
?
We owe it to all affected communities to ensure predictability, sustainability, and security amidst the climate crisis.
?
And I am committed to working with all Member States to do something impactful about it ¨C to move the discussion beyond the prevailing uncertainty towards transformative solutions that can save lives.
?
Excellencies, Honourable Ministers,
?
The ocean is a source of livelihood for billions of people, and the economic heart of small island states.
?
Home to immense biodiversity and diverse ecosystems, it serves as the world¡¯s single largest carbon sink.
?
It is imperative therefore that we prioritize ocean health ¨C and back up our commitment with effective science and urgent implementation.
This means addressing marine pollution and adopting a comprehensive and international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution.
?
It means employing an integrated approach ¨C anchored in science and the engagement of all stakeholders across all sectors.
?
And it means addressing the finance and resource constraints holding back ocean protection and conservation.
?
Excellencies, Honourable Ministers,
?
We have a year and a half until the Third Ocean Conference.
?
Let us use this time ¨C and discussions such as these ¨C to address the concerns and elevate the political will to implement the needed solutions.
?
Those communities on the frontlines of climate change are looking to us to find just and equitable solutions.
?
I look forward to hearing your ideas.
?
I thank you.