Breakfast Summit - Addressing the Existential Threats Posed by Sea-level Rise

New Zealand acknowledges that sea-level rise is already impacting vulnerable communities degrading the habitability of low-lying nations, fundamentally impacting on livelihoods. We agree that collective action is absolutely vital as we seek to respond to the real threat of sea level rise.

The Pacific region has already had considerable success in using international law to protect Pacific rights and entitlements. The 2021 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Declaration on Preserving Maritime Zones in the Face of Climate Change-related Sea-Level Rise is a testament to Pacific advocacy and diplomacy and it has been underscored by the PIF Chair this morning; we too endorse the call for greater recognition of the Declaration.

New Zealand is now focused on working with Pacific Islands Forum Members to ensure continuity of statehood and sovereignty, and protection of persons, in the context of climate change-related sea-level rise.

We acknowledge Vanuatu’s leadership in obtaining an International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on states’ international climate change obligations. We are a strong supporter of this initiative. We hope that the advisory opinion will bring greater clarity to the legal questions, and lift climate ambition.

We also welcome the leadership the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law (COSIS) has shown in seeking guidance on how States’ law of the sea obligations apply with respect to climate change. New Zealand was pleased to participate in the oral hearing at the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea last week.

We call on countries to scale up and deliver international climate finance investments in line with commitments made under the Paris Agreement. Our own International Climate Finance Strategy guides the delivery of our climate finance commitment, of which at least 50 percent will support Pacific Island countries and at least 50 percent will target adaptation.

We have heard Pacific partners’ frustration in accessing international climate finance that is not naturally geared towards small island states that’s why we have initiated country flexible finance to improve accessibility, enable a Pacific-led approach to climate action through financing that is predictable over a period of time.

We recognise the importance of retaining the Pacific’s social and cultural identity and supporting the desire of Pacific peoples to remain in-place, where possible. A priority for Aotearoa New Zealand’s investment in climate action has therefore been to support adaptation initiatives. Collaborative climate mobility initiatives, frameworks, and investments also help to prepare people for relocation and migration, should this become necessary.

I thank the Leaders who convened this Breakfast Summit. Aotearoa New Zealand stands with your countries on these existential issues.