NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that the accelerating increase in sea levels poses escalating risks for coastal populations and economies across the globe. 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. In 2024, the global average sea level experienced an increase of 5.9 millimetres, marking the highest annual rise on record. The assembly’s focus was on the dangers confronting low-lying nations, urban coastal centers, and vulnerable communities.
The World Meteorological Organization has reported a notable acceleration in the rate of global sea-level rise during the satellite era. The annual increase went up from 2.1 millimetres in 1993-2002 to 4.7 millimetres in 2015-2024. WMO data reveal that 2024 reached the highest recorded global mean sea level in the satellite observation period. The warming of oceans causes seawater expansion, while melting glaciers and ice sheets contribute additional water to the seas. These combined processes significantly heighten the risk of coastal flooding, erosion, and intrusion of saltwater into freshwater sources.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projects further rises across all evaluated emissions pathways throughout this century. Under a scenario of very low emissions, the global mean sea level could increase between 0.28 and 0.55 metres by 2100. Conversely, in a very high emissions scenario, the projected range extends from 0.63 to 1.01 metres. These estimates are based on the average from 1995 to 2014. Guterres urged governments worldwide to pursue aggressive emission reductions while enhancing measures to safeguard communities from the adverse effects of climate change.
Global Sea-Level Rise Gains Momentum
During the September 24 meeting, the General Assembly unanimously adopted a political declaration addressing the issue of sea-level rise. The declaration encompasses scientific considerations, financial strategies, resilience efforts, international cooperation, and legal issues associated with rising seas. It advocates for improved early-warning systems and more predictable financing for countries most vulnerable to sea-level rise. General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman pointed out the rapid pace of global sea-level increase during the session and emphasized that ports facilitate over 80% of worldwide merchandise trade, establishing a link between coastal risks and global supply chains.
Particular attention was given to small island developing states and low-lying coastal regions during the UN gathering. Rising seas threaten to damage homes, infrastructure, power systems, farmland, and freshwater supplies while exerting greater pressure on coastal ecosystems. The declaration also highlights the risks posed to livelihoods, cultural heritage, and communities subjected to recurrent coastal flooding. Discussions among governments centered on international cooperation as nations address both physical and legal challenges stemming from changing coastlines. This meeting followed a 2024 decision by the General Assembly aimed at strengthening international initiatives to combat sea-level rise.
UN Emphasizes Resilience Building and Climate Action in Declaration
Guterres called for urgent action across three main areas: reducing global emissions, protecting vulnerable communities, and closing legal gaps caused by rising seas. He emphasized the importance of accelerating the deployment of renewable energy sources and adopting more stringent energy-efficiency policies as vital components of broader climate mitigation efforts. Adaptation strategies discussed include developing resilient infrastructure, implementing effective warning systems, and providing support for communities increasingly threatened by coastal hazards. The United Nations has identified sea-level rise as a major obstacle to sustainable development, food security, and economic stability. Disruptions to transport networks and international trade caused by rising seas are also of growing concern.
Scientific evaluations indicate that sea levels will continue their upward trend throughout the 21st century as oceans warm further and land-based ice melts. According to the IPCC, sea-level rise will persist over centuries to millennia due to the slow response of oceans and ice sheets to climate warming. The WMO has also issued warnings that ocean warming and sea-level increase will have effects lasting hundreds of years. The new UN declaration offers a unified framework addressing resilience, financial support, scientific research, and international legal issues. Its adoption positions sea-level rise as a central topic in the climate policy agenda for the UN’s 2026 high-level meetings.