Leaders from small island nations spoke out on Thursday during the United Nations General Assembly to highlight the devastating consequences of climate change on their territories. Global leaders raised alarms about the imminent dangers of rising sea levels and the destructive impacts of climate change, according to Africanews, emphasizing that small island nations, on the front lines of these challenges, are calling for international recognition and concrete actions to preserve their existence.
The President of the Marshall Islands, Hilda Heine, stated that even as vulnerable lands are submerged, these nations must continue to be recognized. « We must also be clear, » she asserted. « We will not be erased from the map, nor will we quietly slip into our watery graves. » Her words illustrate the determination of these countries to make their voices heard in the fight against the effects of climate change.
During a special high-level summit, the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Feleti Teo, advocated for the survival of his country. « The existential threat we face is not of our making, but it will reshape us, » he declared, emphasizing the importance of hearing the voices of nearly one billion people living in low-lying nations.
The President of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, also spoke, urging the international community to hold corporations and governments accountable and to increase climate financing. He highlighted the concerning imbalance between global military spending and the funds needed to combat the effects of climate change. « This is a troubling reflection of global priorities, » he said.
To Lam, representing Vietnam, warned that « poor countries are being left behind with a widening development gap » in the face of climate change challenges. He cited Super Typhoon Yagi, which devastated Vietnam, as a clear example of the impact that natural disasters can have on sustainable development, according to the African news outlet.
