Prime Minister Robert Abela highlighted the phenomenon of rising sea levels as a significant challenge and a "threat" to humanity, in his address during the United Nations High-Level Meeting at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Abela said that the focus must remain on environmental obligations in light of this phenomenon.
"We cannot backtrack on obligations we have collectively agreed upon, and we must remain focused on clean economic operations that should lead to the goal of reducing temperatures by 1.5 degrees in line with the Paris Agreement," Abela said, addressing a High-Level Plenary Meeting of the United Nations.
This meeting on the rising sea level phenomenon was also addressed by the President of the General Assembly Dennis Francis and the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres.
In the context of this phenomenon being a real threat, even to the Mediterranean region, Prime Minister Robert Abela acknowledged that even if countries around the world continue to comply with plans against global warming, the phenomenon of rising sea levels remains a significant challenge.
He said that everyone's effort is important as this is a threat to humanity.
Abela explained how this challenge affects all, even economically. He stressed that small states, including islands like Malta, are at the forefront of facing this challenge in a more immediate manner.
Abela noted how, during Malta's first opportunity in this two-year term as a Non-Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council, Malta raised the climate change challenge, particularly regarding the phenomenon of rising sea levels, on the agenda.
He said he was pleased today that Malta has contributed to bringing this issue to the top of the United Nations' agenda.
Abela said that Malta will continue to support discussions on addressing the rising sea levels seriously.
"We need to act together today, not tomorrow," he said.
Abela said that as an international community, a strong legal framework to address this phenomenon must be made, as it is also an aspect that should lead to international order when there are differing interests from various countries.