NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that the increasing pace of sea-level rise is elevating risks for communities and economies situated along coastlines worldwide. During a high-level session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 24, Guterres highlighted that roughly 770 million individuals reside less than five metres above the high-tide mark. The global average sea level increased by 5.9 millimetres in 2024, marking the most significant annual rise recorded to date. The summit concentrated on the threats confronting low-lying nations, urban coastal zones, and vulnerable populations.
Documented by the World Meteorological Organization, a notable acceleration in worldwide sea-level rise has been observed during the satellite era. The annual increase has grown from 2.1 millimetres in 1993-2002 to 4.7 millimetres in 2015-2024. WMO data indicate that 2024 experienced the highest global mean sea level in satellite records. The warming of oceans causes seawater expansion, while melting glaciers and ice sheets contribute additional water to the seas. These combined processes amplify the vulnerability to coastal flooding, erosion, and saltwater intrusion.
Projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suggest further rises across all assessed emissions scenarios throughout this century. Under a very low emissions pathway, the global mean sea level could increase by 0.28 to 0.55 metres by 2100. Conversely, under a very high emissions scenario, the expected range extends from 0.63 to 1.01 metres. These estimates are based on the 1995-2014 average as a baseline. Guterres urged world governments to reduce emissions while enhancing measures that shield communities from climate-related dangers.
Global acceleration in sea-level rise
A political declaration on sea-level rise was adopted by consensus during the September 24 session of the General Assembly. The declaration covers aspects such as scientific understanding, financial support, resilience building, international cooperation, and legal considerations associated with rising seas. It also advocates for improved early-warning systems and more predictable financing options for vulnerable nations. During the meeting, General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman underscored the rapid pace of global sea-level rise and highlighted that ports facilitate over 80% of worldwide merchandise trade, connecting coastal risks to global supply chains.
Special attention was given to small island developing states and low-lying coastal zones, which face specific threats. Rising waters threaten to damage homes, infrastructure, power grids, farmland, and freshwater resources, while also putting pressure on coastal ecosystems. The declaration addresses risks to livelihoods, cultural heritage, and communities repeatedly affected by coastal flooding. International cooperation was a key discussion point, as nations strategize responses to both physical impacts and legal challenges posed by changing coastlines. This meeting followed a 2024 decision by the General Assembly to bolster global efforts to combat sea-level rise.
Resilience and climate strategies emphasized in UN declaration
Guterres emphasized the need for action in three critical areas: lowering emissions, safeguarding communities, and closing legal gaps created by rising seas. He called for accelerated deployment of renewable energy and enhanced energy efficiency as part of worldwide emissions reduction initiatives. Adaptation strategies include building resilient infrastructure, establishing effective warning systems, and supporting communities increasingly vulnerable to coastal hazards. The United Nations has identified sea-level rise as a significant obstacle to development, food security, and economic stability. Coastal impacts can also disrupt transportation networks and international trade routes.
Scientific evaluations project that sea levels will continue to rise through the 21st century as oceans warm and terrestrial ice melts. The IPCC warns that sea-level increase will persist for centuries to thousands of years because of the slow response of oceans and ice sheets to warming. Additionally, WMO has issued warnings that the effects of ocean warming and sea-level rise will last for hundreds of years. The recent UN declaration offers a unified framework that encompasses resilience, financial support, scientific research, and international legal considerations. Its ratification elevates sea-level rise as a key issue within the climate policy agenda during the General Assembly’s 2026 high-level meetings.