Checked Against Delivery
Mister President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to align myself with the statement made on behalf of the European Union and its 27 member states.
Small Island Developing States are on the frontline of the climate crisis. For them, climate change is not a distant threat or a future scenario. It is already reshaping lives, livelihoods, communities and the very places they call home.
Sea-level rise is one of the clearest and most devastating consequences of this trajectory. For SIDS and other low-lying coastal states, rising seas threaten homes and infrastructure, freshwater, food security, livelihoods and cultural heritage.
The question is not simply how to adapt to a changing climate – but how to secure a future on the land they have called home for generations.
The UN Declaration on Sea-level rise is a great achievement. I thank the co-facilitators Australia and Cabo Verde for their hard work and leadership on this matter.
The Kingdom of Denmark welcomes the Declaration as an important step forward. At the same time, we would like to underline the importance of reflecting the scientific evidence underpinning sea-level rise, including the clear link between human-induced climate change and its impacts.
Climate action must be based on the best available science, as well as strong multilateral cooperation and action under the UNFCCC.
The latest Emissions Gap Report warns that the world is very likely to temporarily exceed 1.5°C in the coming decade, with every fraction of a degree of additional warming bringing greater risks, losses and damages.
Thus, we must safeguard the role of science, including the IPCC, and ensure ambitious implementation of our commitments under the first Global Stocktake, including the transition away from fossil fuels.
Furthermore, we welcome the attention to Indigenous Peoples rights and the importance of safeguarding Indigenous knowledge, cultures and heritage in responding to sea-level rise. Their knowledge plays a crucial role in strengthening climate adaptation and resilience.
Excellencies,
Denmark remains firmly committed to international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the legal framework governing the ocean. Rule of law and legal certainty must remain at the core of our collective response.
We are proud to stand together with the small island developing states and low-lying coastal states in the fight against climate change, supporting resilience through an earmarked 60 pct. of our climate financing to adaptation.
In conclusion,
The Kingdom of Denmark has consistently supported climate-vulnerable countries. You can count on our continued support as we work together to strengthen climate resilience and safeguard our planet.
Thank you.
