Venezuela supports UN declaration to stop sea level rise

Published at: 24/09/2026 03:40 PM

In the context of the 81st session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), the Deputy Minister for the Caribbean of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Carlos Pérez, at a high-level meeting to address the existential threats posed by rising sea levels, reported that a declaration was adopted by consensus to reaffirm the will to move towards concrete and effective responses to curb its rise.

He specified that Venezuela's support for this agreement is without prejudice to its well-known positions with respect to international instruments to which it is not a party, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (CONVEMAR).

He explained that for millions of people, especially in small island developing States and in coastal communities, this threat does not belong to the future, but rather constitutes a reality that compromises territories, livelihoods, infrastructure, ecosystems and development prospects.

For this reason, continued the Venezuelan diplomat, “we must respond effectively to rising sea levels, acting on its causes and, simultaneously, preparing for its impacts. This requires strengthening climate action within the framework of the Framework Convention and the Paris Agreement, preserving equity and the principle of common responsibilities.

“But it also requires placing adaptation and resilience at the center of our development policies,” he added, referring to the need to also have better early warning systems; greater scientific and technological capacity; protection and restoration of mangroves, wetlands and other coastal ecosystems; and planning that incorporates future risks in cities, ports, water, energy and transport systems.

Along these lines, Deputy Minister Pérez indicated that Venezuela will continue to contribute to this effort, together with the Caribbean and the entire Global South, convinced that in the face of a threat that does not recognize borders, more cooperation, solidarity and a truly inclusive multilateralism capable of producing solutions are required.

MERCI