During his recent visit to Samoa, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark warning that low-lying Pacific island nations are at risk of annihilation due to rising sea levels and climate change.

Guterres emphasized that high sea levels pose an existential threat to Samoa and other small island developing states, with the impacts of climate change being felt at a faster rate than the global average.

He highlighted that rising sea levels and severe weather events are forcing communities to relocate, with the rate of sea level rise accelerating to double that of the 1990s.

The Secretary-General called for climate justice for Pacific nations, noting that residents have already been displaced due to coastal erosion and rising waters.

Guterres warned that if climate change is not effectively addressed, its impacts will extend globally, affecting all coastal regions, including major cities like New York and Shanghai.

He pointed out that despite contributing only 0.02% of global carbon emissions, Pacific countries are on the front lines of the climate crisis, facing extreme weather events such as severe tropical cyclones and record ocean heatwaves.

Guterres advocated for access to $80 billion in development funds to support Pacific nations, stressing the need for new income streams, especially as their tourism sectors were severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He called for reforms in international financial institutions to ensure that the funding needs of Pacific countries are met, criticizing the lack of promised aid that hampers their ambitious climate plans.

Guterres urged wealthier nations to fulfill their financial commitments ahead of the upcoming U.N. climate summit, COP29, emphasizing the importance of a strong financial outcome from these discussions.

He referred to the Loss and Damage Fund established at COP27 and the 2021 pledge by rich nations to double climate adaptation funding as essential but unmet commitments.

Guterres noted that protective infrastructure in Samoa has had to be rebuilt multiple times in response to rising sea levels and severe storms, highlighting the urgent need for international support.

Despite the challenges, Guterres shared inspiring stories of resilience from Samoans who have rebuilt their lives after disasters, including the deadly 2009 tsunami, showcasing their determination to combat climate impacts.