Development
Oceans and small island States at UNGA 81
Raised by 58 of 223 speakers. Read verbatim UN transcript quotes and select a time to hear the speech.
Speeches that raised oceans and small island states
Micronesia (Federated States of) · Day 5Aren PalikFor Micronesia, climate impact are a national concern.
We underscore the importance of safeguarding maritime security across the Blue Pacific.
Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities, transnational crimes, and environmental degradation threaten not only our economies, but the health of our marine environment as well.
8passages
Cabo Verde · Day 5Francisco Avelino Vieira de CarvalhoWe have learned to confront drought and scarcity, to transform sea from a barrier into a bridge.
But above all, we have learned that a nation's greatest wealth lies in its people.
We even have a word for this wealth, which is.
4passages
Sao Tome and Principe · Day 5Ilza Maria dos Santos Amado VazIt is on the basis of this experience that we reaffirm our confidence in dialogue, diplomacy, cooperation, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Mr. President, for small island developing states, geographic, economic, financial, and social vulnerabilities are compounded by the effects of climate change.
In Sao Tome and Principe, these impacts are already affecting our coastal areas, infrastructure, marine resources, and livelihoods, despite our negligible contribution to global emissions.
3passages
Belize · Day 5John BriceñoBut let us be honest with one another.
Not one of us could fault the people we represent for questioning its delivery.
The world is on course to exceed the 1.5 degree threshold.
2passages
Philippines · Day 5Ma. Theresa LazaroLook to the Philippines, one of the world's most climate-vulnerable nations.
Since August alone, ferocious monsoons and storms have battered our islands, affecting more than 2.7 million families, destroying homes and shattering livelihoods.
We share these vulnerabilities with many developing countries, particularly small islands and coastal states.
2passages
Jamaica · Day 5Kamina Johnson SmithWe had put in place disaster risk financing, including catastrophe insurance, and an independently sponsored catastrophe bond.
Those measures gave us immediate liquidity.
But no level of prudent national planning can fully insulate a small developing state from a climate event of that magnitude.
2passages
Singapore · Day 5Vivian BalakrishnanAnd I would ask all of you to recollect the BBNJ Agreement, which entered into force this year.
This is clear evidence that even in this time, we can still build common rules for shared challenges.
And Singapore is proud that our Ambassador Rena Lee presided over the negotiations that concluded this agreement by consensus.
1passages