New York, NY – September 25, 2024 — Her Excellency President Dr. Hilda C. Heine participated today in a pivotal High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly focused on “Addressing the Threats Posed by Sea-Level Rise.”
In her statement, President Heine welcomed the meeting as a vital opportunity to elevate discussions surrounding a complex issue that has long affected Pacific Island nations. “For decades, we raised these issues at the UN, only to be told we were in the wrong room. Perhaps today, we have finally found the right room,” she emphasized.
President Heine reiterated the Marshall Islands’ strong support for the 2024 AOSIS Leaders Declaration on Sea-Level Rise, highlighting the shared conviction among Pacific leaders that climate change represents the greatest threat to peace and security in the region. “Our boundaries and baselines remain whole and fixed, just as they have been submitted. We will not change the map for a crisis we did not cause,” she asserted, underlining the importance of maintaining stability in the face of rising seas.
She called upon other nations present to strengthen their support for the AOSIS declaration, acknowledging the essential work of the International Law Commission and expressing hope for its forthcoming conclusions, which could serve as pillars for building a sustainable future.
As a low-lying nation with no higher ground, President Heine underscored the severe risks that climate change poses to every sector of Marshallese society. “We pursue ambitious adaptation efforts, but we lack clear financial pathways towards transformative solutions that address this threat at scale,” she stated, urging a fundamental principle of equity and fairness in international responses to climate change.
“Our sovereignty rests with our people, not in distant diplomatic centers. The answer cannot be ambiguous borders or open plunder of our resources. We deserve respect and recognition as equal partners in this fight,” she concluded.
