Vanuatu’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Odo Tevi, has warned that rising sea levels could threaten the country’s land, freshwater supplies, infrastructure and ecosystems, with projections showing sea levels around Vanuatu could rise by up to 122 centimetres by the end of this century.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Mr Tevi called for stronger international action to address sea level rise, protect the sovereignty and maritime rights of island nations, and provide the resources needed to help vulnerable communities adapt to climate change.

He said the sea had long been central to Vanuatu’s way of life, serving as a source of food, transport and cultural heritage, but was now also posing serious threats to the country.

Rising seas threaten land and livelihoods

Mr Tevi said Vanuatu was already facing risks associated with coastal erosion, flooding, saltwater intrusion, loss of land and freshwater, damage to infrastructure and the degradation of ecosystems.

“Our own projections show sea level rise around Vanuatu could reach up to 122cm by the end of this century.”

He warned that rising sea levels could make more areas of the country uninhabitable.

Mr Tevi said Vanuatu continued to raise the issue internationally because sea level rise was not only an environmental concern but also a matter of security and international law.

He stressed that rising seas must not diminish Vanuatu’s statehood, sovereignty, maritime zones or rights under international law.

Vanuatu highlights international legal obligations

Mr Tevi recalled Vanuatu’s leadership in seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on states’ obligations regarding climate change.

He said the Court’s 2025 advisory opinion confirmed that states have binding legal obligations to exercise due diligence to prevent significant harm to the climate system, cooperate in good faith and protect human rights, including those affected by sea level rise.

He also referred to the UN General Assembly’s adoption of a resolution welcoming the advisory opinion and affirming the continuity of statehood in the face of rising sea levels.

Mr Tevi said Vanuatu’s position was shared by other countries, including small island nations facing similar threats.

He said Vanuatu associated itself with statements delivered by the Maldives on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, Palau on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum and Kiribati on behalf of Pacific states.

Calls for action on climate finance and relocation

Mr Tevi said more work was needed to address gaps in fragmented legal frameworks, the lack of clear regional pathways for displacement and planned relocation, and continuing shortages of finance, capacity and political commitment.

He outlined three priorities for moving forward.

The first was to translate international declarations, scientific data and early-warning commitments into properly resourced national and regional action.

He pointed to Vanuatu’s Community-Based Climate Resilience Project, which supports agriculture and fisheries by restoring ecosystems, establishing local disaster committees and training smallholder farmers.

The second priority was to increase access to simplified and predictable climate finance, technology and capacity building to support adaptation and resilience.

He also called for dedicated support to address loss and damage already caused by sea level rise, alongside technical assistance to finalise outstanding baselines.

The third priority was to advance rights-based, community-led approaches to climate mobility that protect people’s dignity, culture and choices.

‘A beginning, not an end’

Mr Tevi welcomed the adoption of the declaration on sea level rise and thanked the delegations involved in its development.

However, he stressed that its adoption must mark the beginning of further international action rather than the end of the process.

He said Vanuatu was pursuing the issue not only for its own benefit but also on behalf of low-lying nations, coastal communities and future generations.

“The law and sciences are clear. What remains is the will to act on it.”