UN chief calls for climate support for SIDS
Ban Ki-moon warned the Security Council of the climate challenges facing Small Island developing States
The climate challenges facing Small Island developing States (SIDS) are the international community’s collective responsibility, according to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Ban addressed the UN Security Council and said: “Combatting climate change, promoting sustainable development and addressing the vulnerabilities of SIDS will demand partnership, capacity and leadership.”
The Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Samoa last year increased global attention on sustainable development of SIDS their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change including rising sea-levels.
New Zealand holds the rotating Presidency of the Security Council for the month of July and submitted a concept note highlighting how SIDS are particularly being threatened by illicit exploitation of natural resources, climate change and climate-related natural disasters.
The concept not said: “Taken together with the broader vulnerabilities faced by many of these States communities; these challenges can disproportionately affect national stability, fuel conflict across regions and ultimately have an impact on the maintenance of international peace and security.”
Ban said the first priority must be to support SIDS in achieving the Millennium Development Goals: “We need a post-2015 development agenda and sustainable development goals that address the needs of SIDS,” he continued.
Ban added: “We need a meaningful and universal global climate agreement in Paris in December,” stressed the UN chief, as small island developing States are on the front lines of climate change… Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu is only the latest in a long string of devastation that SIDS have endured and will continue to endure as long as climate change is not adequately addressed”
The UN Secretary-General said that rising sea levels, dying coral reefs and the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters are causing displacement and migration, threatening domestic and regional stability.
