UN Adopts First Declaration on Sea-Level Rise

The United Nations General Assembly adopted its first declaration on sea-level rise on 24 September 2026 at a high-level meeting in New York during its 81st session. The declaration states that countries threatened by rising oceans do not automatically lose statehood if their territory becomes submerged, and it supports the stability of maritime zones such as territorial seas and exclusive economic zones.

Sea-Level Rise and Statehood

Sea-level rise is the long-term increase in the average level of the world’s oceans, and it affects low-lying coastal and island states. The declaration addresses the legal position of states whose land territory may be reduced or submerged because of coastal inundation.

Maritime Zones Under International Law

Territorial seas and exclusive economic zones are maritime zones recognised under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The declaration supports the continuity of these zones even when coastlines change because of sea-level rise.

Climate Adaptation and Legal Context

The four-page declaration calls for stronger protection of vulnerable coastal communities, early warning systems, coastal protection, and adaptation finance. It follows a July 2025 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice and a 2024 opinion of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, both of which addressed state obligations on greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to sea-level rise.

Important Facts for Exams

• The United Nations General Assembly is the main deliberative organ of the United Nations and has 193 member states.
• The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations and is based in The Hague.
• The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea was established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
• Global mean sea level rose by 5.9 millimetres in 2024, which was recorded as the highest annual increase.

Population at Risk

About 770 million people live less than five metres above the high-tide line, and this group includes many residents of coastal cities and small island states. The declaration was adopted with agreement among UN member states, including the United States.