Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Thank your Mr President.
Thank you to the Dominican Republic for convening this important debate.
New Zealand aligns itself to the statement shortly to be delivered by the President of Nauru on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum.
In September last year, the leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum affirmed that “climate change presents the single greatest threat to the livelihood, security, and wellbeing of Pacific people.”
Our leaders chose their words deliberately. Climate change is not a future challenge to be endlessly discussed: it is a real and immediate threat.
This Council has recognised the demonstrable links between climate change and security. When the effects of climate change intersect with environmental and social issues, it drives instability and conflict.
The issues outlined in the concept note for this debate are the reality for the states in our region.
In the Pacific climate change-related disasters are increasing, as they are across the world. Cyclones, storm surges, and droughts are increasing the vulnerability of communities across the region and threatening hard won development.
Pacific states are also already feeling the effects of slow-onset disasters. Sea level rise is the most obvious risk to low-lying atoll countries, but the warming ocean, ocean acidification, and salt pollution of fresh water supplies and agricultural soils are just some of the many, compounding challenges climate change brings to our region.
Climate change has already caused some people to migrate, so far mostly within their countries. For communities who have been forced to abandon their lands to the advancing sea there is no prospect of return. These displacements are not anomalies; they are our collective future if current trends continue.
As part of the Security Council’s efforts to prevent conflict, the threats to international peace and security caused by climate change should be identified and responded to as they emerge.
New Zealand firmly supports the Secretary-General's efforts to ensure a more coordinated and integrated response to the impact of climate change.
To help additional coordination and focus to the efforts across the UN system, we stand in full support of the proposal by Pacific Small Island Development States for the appointment of a high level representative for climate change.
We furthermore join others who have spoken today in encouraging the Secretariat to enable the Council to comprehensively address this threat by including relevant analysis and risk assessments in all reports submitted to the Security Council.
Mr President, climate change is, as the Secretary-General has said, the defining issue of our time. It is a threat to livelihoods, it is a threat to well-being, and it is a threat to international peace and security.
Gracias Señor Presidente.