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EXPLANATION OF POSITION BY MS AMANDA CHONG, COUNSELLOR (LEGAL), PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON THE ADOPTION OF THE UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON SEA LEVEL RISE (A/81/L.3), PLENARY MEETING OF THE GENERAL

12 October 2026

A concise summary of the main points regarding this article.

ASSEMBLY, 12 OCTOBER 2026

Mr President,

1                  Singapore aligns with the statement made by Maldives on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). We thank Australia and Cabo Verde for their tireless efforts in leading us to a carefully negotiated consensus.

2                  Sea-level rise is already a lived reality affecting small island developing States (SIDS). Its consequences will be profound and, in some cases, irreversible. We commend the leadership of SIDS, which has been instrumental in keeping sea-level rise high on the international agenda, including through the AOSIS Leaders’ Declarations of 2021 and 2024. International cooperation underpinned by international law is of critical importance in addressing climate change-related sea-level rise. For SIDS in particular, sea-level rise should not undermine the stability of a State’s maritime zones or the continuity of its statehood.

3                  First, on maritime zones. Singapore’s longstanding position is that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. This includes addressing the implications of sea-level rise for maritime rights and entitlements. The Declaration affirms the central role of UNCLOS in this respect. It also affirms that States can, after establishing their maritime zones in accordance with UNCLOS, maintain such zones in the face of physical changes resulting from climate change-related sea-level rise.

4                  Second, on statehood. The Declaration affirms the presumption in favour of continued statehood and underscores the continuity of statehood in the face of sea-level rise.

5                  For the first time, the international community has come together around these principles in a dedicated UN Declaration on sea-level rise. This is an important step towards greater legal certainty, stability and predictability for all States, particularly SIDS. But it is a milestone, not an endpoint. As we move towards implementation, our efforts must remain anchored in, and consistent with, UNCLOS and the broader framework of international law. We should build on the consensus that leaders reached in September, while preserving the integrity of existing legal frameworks. In doing so, we can ensure that the international legal order continues to provide stability and certainty, even as our coastlines change.

6                  I thank you for your attention.