NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the accelerating rise in sea levels is escalating risks for communities and economies situated along coastlines worldwide. Speaking at a high-level session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 24, Guterres highlighted that approximately 770 million individuals live less than five metres above the high-tide line. The global average sea level increased by 5.9 millimetres in 2024, marking the highest annual rise ever recorded. The assembly’s focus was on the dangers faced by low-lying nations, urban coastal areas, and vulnerable populations.
The World Meteorological Organization has documented a notable acceleration in the rate of global sea-level rise during the satellite era. The annual increase grew from 2.1 millimetres between 1993-2002 to 4.7 millimetres during 2015-2024. Data from WMO reveal that 2024 registered the highest global mean sea level in the satellite record. Ocean warming leads to seawater expansion, while melting glaciers and ice sheets add water to the oceans. These combined processes heighten the risks of coastal flooding, erosion, and saltwater intrusion, threatening ecosystems and human settlements.
Projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suggest that sea level will continue to rise this century across all evaluated emissions pathways. Under a very low emissions scenario, the global mean sea level could increase between 0.28 and 0.55 metres by 2100. Conversely, under a very high emissions scenario, estimates range from 0.63 to 1.01 metres. These forecasts are based on the 1995-2014 average as their reference period. Guterres urged governments to reduce emissions while simultaneously expanding measures to safeguard communities from climate-related hazards.
Global acceleration of sea-level rise highlighted
During the September 24 gathering, the General Assembly adopted a political declaration on sea-level rise by consensus. This document covers topics such as scientific understanding, financing, resilience, international cooperation, and legal concerns related to rising seas. It emphasizes the importance of enhanced early-warning systems and more predictable financial support for vulnerable nations. General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman pointed out the rapid pace of global sea-level rise during the session and noted that over 80% of global merchandise trade passes through ports, linking coastal risks to worldwide supply chains.
Special attention was given to small island developing states and low-lying coastal zones during the UN meeting. Rising seas threaten homes, infrastructure, agriculture, freshwater supplies, and put additional strain on coastal ecosystems. The declaration also highlights risks to livelihoods, cultural heritage, and communities subjected to recurrent coastal flooding. Discussions centered on international cooperation as nations respond to the legal and physical repercussions of changing coastlines. This meeting followed a 2024 decision by the General Assembly to bolster global efforts against sea-level rise.
Focus on resilience and climate mitigation in UN declaration
Guterres called for urgent action in three key areas: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening community protection, and closing legal gaps caused by sea-level rise. He promoted the rapid deployment of renewable energy sources and enhanced energy efficiency measures as vital components of global emission reduction strategies. Adaptation strategies include resilient infrastructure, effective early warning systems, and support for communities increasingly exposed to coastal hazards. The United Nations recognizes sea-level rise as a major obstacle to development, food security, and economic stability, noting that disruptions to transport networks and international trade can be significant consequences.
Scientific studies indicate that sea levels will continue their upward trend throughout the 21st century as ocean temperatures rise and land-based ice melts. The IPCC states that sea-level rise will persist for centuries to millennia, due to the slow response of oceans and ice sheets to warming. Additionally, WMO has issued warnings that ocean warming and sea-level rise will have long-lasting effects lasting hundreds of years. The new UN declaration offers a unified framework addressing resilience, financing, scientific research, and international law. Its adoption positions sea-level rise as a central issue in the climate agenda during the upcoming 2026 high-level meetings of the General Assembly.