NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that the increasing pace of sea-level rise is heightening dangers for coastal populations and economies 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 within five metres of the high-tide line. The global average sea level surged by 5.9 millimetres in 2024, marking the highest annual increase recorded. The assembly’s focus was on the threats faced by low-lying nations, coastal urban centers, and vulnerable communities.
The World Meteorological Organization has documented a significant acceleration in global sea-level increase during the satellite era. The annual rise rate grew from 2.1 millimetres in 1993-2002 to 4.7 millimetres during 2015-2024. WMO data reveal that 2024 experienced the highest global mean sea level in the satellite record. This rise results from ocean warming, which causes seawater expansion, along with melting glaciers and ice sheets that add water to the oceans. These processes increase risks of coastal flooding, erosion, and saltwater intrusion.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projects further increases across all assessed emissions scenarios this century. Under a very low emissions pathway, sea levels could rise between 0.28 and 0.55 metres by 2100, while a very high emissions scenario projects a likely range of 0.63 to 1.01 metres. These projections are based on the 1995-2014 average as their reference. Guterres urged governments to cut emissions and bolster efforts to safeguard communities from climate impacts.
Sea-level rise accelerates globally
During the September 24 meeting, the General Assembly adopted a political declaration on rising sea levels through consensus. This document addresses scientific, financial, resilience, legal, and international cooperation issues linked to sea-level rise. It emphasizes the need for enhanced early-warning systems and more predictable funding for vulnerable nations. Assembly President Khalilur Rahman highlighted the swift pace of sea-level increase and pointed out that ports facilitate over 80% of global merchandise trade, linking coastal risks to international supply chains.
Special attention was given to small island developing states and low-lying coastal regions. Rising seas threaten homes, roads, power systems, farmland, and freshwater supplies while increasing pressures on coastal ecosystems. The declaration also considers risks to livelihoods, cultural heritage, and communities facing recurrent flooding. Countries discussed international cooperation as they respond to physical and legal consequences of changing coastlines. This meeting followed a 2024 General Assembly decision aimed at strengthening global action on sea-level rise.
UN emphasis on resilience and climate mitigation
Guterres called for action across three key areas: reducing emissions, protecting communities, and closing legal gaps caused by rising seas. He stressed the importance of expanding renewable energy and adopting stronger energy efficiency measures as part of the broader effort to cut emissions globally. Adaptation strategies should include resilient infrastructure, effective warning systems, and support for communities increasingly vulnerable to coastal hazards. The United Nations recognizes sea-level rise as a significant obstacle to development, food security, and economic stability, with impacts on transport networks and international trade.
Scientific evaluations indicate that sea levels will continue rising through the 21st century as oceans warm and land ice melts. The IPCC states that sea-level rise will persist for centuries to millennia because of the slow response of oceans and ice sheets to warming. WMO also warns that ocean warming and sea-level increase have effects lasting hundreds of years. The new UN declaration offers a unified framework covering resilience, finance, science, and international law, positioning sea-level rise as a core concern in the climate discussions of the UN General Assembly’s 2026 high-level meetings.