No Ocean Declaration Without Small Islands: Developing Nations Advocate for Urgent Inclusion as UN Summit Nears Conclusion
New York, 12 June 2025 – As the United Nations summit on climate change draws to a close, a powerful chorus of voices from small island developing states (SIDS) is resonating through the halls, demanding that the fate of their oceans be a central and non-negotiable component of the final declaration. Delegates are vehemently pushing for the inclusion of comprehensive measures to protect marine ecosystems, recognizing the existential threat that rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and warming waters pose to their very survival.
The summit, which has convened over the past weeks to address the escalating climate crisis, has seen significant debate and negotiation. However, representatives from vulnerable island nations have consistently highlighted that any meaningful climate action must prioritize the health and resilience of the world’s oceans. For these nations, the ocean is not merely an economic resource; it is the bedrock of their cultures, livelihoods, and national identities.
“We cannot have an ‘Ocean Declaration’ that leaves the most vulnerable ocean-dependent nations behind,” stated a delegate from a Pacific island nation, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Our shores are receding, our coral reefs are bleaching, and our fisheries are declining due to the actions of industrialized nations. We are on the front lines of this crisis, and our voices must be heard, and our needs must be met.”
The urgency stems from the stark reality faced by SIDS. Many of these nations are already experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change. Coastal erosion threatens to engulf ancestral lands, saltwater intrusion contaminates freshwater sources, and increasingly severe weather events, fueled by warming oceans, decimate infrastructure and disrupt fragile ecosystems. The economic consequences are equally dire, with the fisheries sector, a crucial source of food security and employment, facing unprecedented challenges.
Discussions have reportedly centered on several key areas of concern for SIDS. These include calls for significantly enhanced climate finance to support adaptation and resilience-building efforts, the establishment of robust mechanisms for loss and damage, and ambitious global emissions reduction targets that align with the goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, delegates are advocating for stronger protections for marine biodiversity, including the expansion of marine protected areas and sustainable fisheries management practices.
The push for inclusion is not simply a plea for recognition; it is a strategic imperative. Small island states, despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, are disproportionately impacted by the consequences. Their participation and the explicit acknowledgment of their unique vulnerabilities are seen as crucial for forging a truly equitable and effective global response to climate change.
As the summit heads into its final hours, the determination of these nations is palpable. They are working tirelessly to ensure that the declaration reflects a commitment to the planet’s oceans that is both ambitious and inclusive, recognizing that the future of their islands, and indeed the health of the global ocean, depends on it. The outcome of these final negotiations will undoubtedly be a critical measure of the international community’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis in a just and equitable manner.
‘No Ocean Declaration without small islands’: Delegates push for inclusion as UN summit nears end
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