Warns Sea Surface Increase Is A World Alarm, Foreign Minister Retno: Don't Postpone Again, Take Action Now

Foreign Minister Retno while attending a high-level meeting on sea level rise at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi called for immediate action to protect millions of lives and future generations, when sea level rise is an alarm for the world.

He said that while attending the 'Sea Level Rise' Summit which discussed the existential threat posed by sea level rise, on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, United States.

Foreign Minister Retno explained that the impact of sea level rise was not only felt by coastal countries, but also by communities located far on land.

According to him, this makes sea level rise a global crisis that requires immediate action.

Related to this, Foreign Minister Retno emphasized three things. First, more ambitious climate action is needed to overcome global warming.

"The target of 1.5 degrees Celsius is a fixed price. To achieve this, a fair share of the load is needed, not a transfer of the load," he said.

Second, he continued, calling for the importance of strengthening international cooperation in dealing with sea level rise.

"The emphasis is put on efforts to increase capacity, technical assistance, and collective steps to raise resources, including financing and technology that can be accessed by all countries," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Finally, strengthening global political will to address the impact of sea level rise, which includes the loss of territory and disruption of livelihoods.

On the occasion, Foreign Minister Retno also proposed the need for a special global agenda on sea level rise, calling for strengthening an international legal framework capable of protecting the sovereignty of the country and its population.

"The application for science and data also needs to be encouraged in supporting effective policy making," he said.

It is known that the 'Sea Level Rise' High Level Meeting was attended by 128 countries and discussed joint efforts to overcome sea level rise, including through climate funding, regional sovereignty and the country's maritime zone boundaries, as well as scientific data-based decision-making.

Regarding this issue, Indonesia itself has taken concrete steps by hosting the first High Level Meeting of the Archipelago State and Small Island Forum (Archipelagic and Island States Forum) last October in Bali, which aims to increase international collaboration, including exploring innovative financing mechanisms for island countries and small islands.

"Sea level rise is an alarm for the world. Don't delay it anymore, act now to protect millions of lives and future generations," said Foreign Minister Retno.