General Assembly

Distr. GENERAL  

22 December 1989

ORIGINAL:
ENGLISH

                                                        A/RES/44/206
                                                        85th plenary meeting
                                                        22 December 1989
 
            Possible adverse effects of sea-level rise on islands and
               coastal areas, particularly low-lying coastal areas
 
      The General Assembly,
 
      Recalling its resolutions 42/202 of 11 December 1987 and 43/53 of
 6 December 1988,
 
      Aware of the potential global problem of sea-level rise, which could
 adversely affect islands and coastal areas, particularly low-lying coastal
 areas,
 
      Recognizing the need for further scientific study of climate change,
 including the possibility of sea-level rise induced by global warming,
 
      Noting the ongoing work within the United Nations system, in particular
 within the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Meteorological
 Organization and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, on the
 potential global problem of sea-level rise and taking note, in this
 connection, of decision 15/36 of 25 May 1989 of the Governing Council of the
 United Nations Environment Programme on global climate change,
 
      Noting also the concern expressed in the final communique of the
 Twentieth South Pacific Forum, held at Tarawa, Kiribati, on 10 and
 11 July 1989, at the possible effects on island countries of rising sea levels
 resulting from global warming,
 
      Noting further the support expressed in the Langkawi Declaration on
 Environment, adopted by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on
 21 October 1989, for low-lying and island countries in their efforts to
 protect themselves and their vulnerable natural marine ecosystems from the
 effects of sea-level rise,
 
      Taking note of the Male Declaration on Global Warming and Sea Level Rise,
 adopted by the Small States Conference on Sea Level Rise, held at Male,
 Maldives, from 14 to 18 November 1989, in which the participants declared
 their intent to work, collaborate and seek international co-operation to
 protect the low-lying small coastal and island States of the world from the
 dangers posed by climate change, global warming and sea-level rise,
 
      Expressing concern that sea-level rise resulting from global climate
 change could lead, inter alia, to abnormally high tides, which could intensify
 flooding and the erosion of coastal areas and damage infrastructure on islands
 and in low-lying coastal areas,
 
      1.   Welcomes the growing attention being given world-wide to the
 potentially serious effects on islands and coastal areas, particularly
 low-lying coastal areas, of sea-level rise resulting from climate change;
 
      2.   Urges the international community to provide effective and timely
 support to countries affected by sea-level rise, particularly developing
 countries, in their efforts to develop and implement strategies to protect
 themselves and their vulnerable natural marine ecosystems from the particular
 threats of sea-level rise caused by climate change;
 
      3.   Requests the Secretary-General to invite the United Nations
 Environment Programme, the World Meteorological Organization and, through
 them, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to take account in their
 work of the particular situation of islands and coastal areas, particularly
 low-lying coastal areas, by undertaking further scientific studies and by
 seeking ways to address the problems of sea-level rise, inter alia, by
 providing expertise, as requested, in accordance with their specific mandates,
 for improved management of coastal zones;
 
      4.   Recommends that the vulnerability of affected countries and their
 marine ecosystems to sea-level rise be considered during discussions of a
 draft framework convention on climate as well as within the framework of the
 United Nations conference on environment and development to be held in 1992
 and during the preparatory process for the conference;
 
      5.   Requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of
 the present resolution to the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session,
 through the Economic and Social Council and the Governing Council of the
 United Nations Environment Programme.