Addressing Sea-Level Rise: A Global Priority
Among the multifaceted crises faced by people and the planet, climate change stands as perhaps the most formidable of all. Sea-level rise is unarguably foremost among its impacts. For low-lying and Small Island Developing States, no issue is more pressing or consequential. The IPCC estimates that, by 2050, global sea levels will rise between 15 and 30 centimeters, on average, with greater increases expected in equatorial regions, particularly the Pacific. Extreme sea-level events – which used to occur once every century – could become an annual phenomenon by the close of this century. Close to one billion people living in low-lying coastal zones will be directly affected due to rising sea levels and climate impacts.
This issue is multidimensional and extends far beyond coastal populations – it affects every continent and region, leaving no one immune from potential catastrophe. Sea-level rise will impact communities in Small Island Developing States, as well as coastal states, and many more millions will have to adapt to floods, storms, erosion, and forced displacement. The high-level meeting on addressing the existential threats posed by sea-level rise in September will be the first of the General Assembly on this issue of significant concern for a growing number of Member States, including those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Panel Discussions
Wednesday, 25 September 2024,
Multistakeholder panel “Sea-level rise and its legal dimensions” 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Multistakeholder panel “Adaptation, finance, and resilience in relation to sea-level rise”11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Multistakeholder panel “Livelihoods, socio-economic challenges, and culture and heritage in relation to sea-level rise” 3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Multistakeholder panel “Knowledge, data and science to inform sea-level rise risk assessments and decision making” 4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
The High-Level Thematic Debate on Sea-Level Rise can be watched live on