Prime Minister Feleti Teo told the UN General Assembly that sea-level rise is already reshaping Tuvalu’s territory, identity and economic outlook, and called for faster emission cuts, reliable finance, and stronger ocean governance.
Tuvalu is experiencing sea-level rise now: it has reclaimed 15.3 hectares of elevated land on Funafuti and is reclaiming another 10 hectares to protect territory and communities.
The UN Political Declaration on Sea-Level Rise recognises continuity of statehood and permanence of maritime rights, which Tuvalu welcomed as protection for national identity and maritime zones.
Tuvalu calls for urgent cuts to methane and carbon dioxide, operational Loss and Damage Fund financing as grants, and greater international support for Pacific-led climate finance and SDG 14 action.
# What happened Prime Minister Feleti Teo of Tuvalu addressed the UN General Assembly on Sept. 25, 2026. He said climate change is the nation's greatest existential threat and warned that global action is still too slow and too small to protect vulnerable island states.
# Concrete changes on the ground Tuvalu is already adapting to rising seas. The country reclaimed 15.3 hectares of elevated, flood-free land on the capital island of Funafuti and is in the process of reclaiming another 10 hectares. For a country with roughly 26 square kilometres of land, these additions are a significant adjustment to keep communities and critical facilities functional.
Tuvalu is also using digital technologies to preserve sovereignty, institutions and cultural heritage by safeguarding cultural and historical records in digital form.
# International milestones and demands Tuvalu welcomed the UN Political Declaration on Sea-Level Rise, which Member States endorsed. The declaration explicitly recognises continuity of statehood and sovereignty despite sea-level rise, and affirms the permanence of maritime zones and rights under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Prime Minister Teo described the declaration as a meaningful step that protects dignity, culture and identity.
At the same time, Tuvalu warned that a temporary overshoot of the 1.5°C target is now inevitable. The government calls for:
# Ocean governance and security Tuvalu framed ocean stewardship as central to its development and security. Although its land area is small, Tuvalu is custodian of about 750,000 square kilometres of ocean. The Prime Minister argued that ocean governance affects economic security, food security and climate security, and urged faster progress on Sustainable Development Goal 14 (life below water).
# Bottom line Tuvalu is acting on adaptation and legal protections while asking the international community to match those actions with faster emissions reductions, reliable grant-based finance for loss and damage, and targeted support for ocean-focused development and resilience. The government says national efforts can lead by example, but cannot replace wider global responsibility and collective action.
Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo addressed the UN General Assembly on Friday, urging decisive global action to mitigate sea-level rise and welcoming the UN’s endorsement of the Political Declaration on Sea-Level Rise. The landmark agreement formally recognizes the continuity of statehood and the permanence of maritime
World leaders approved the UN Declaration on Sea Level Rise by consensus on Thursday as the UN chief warned that encroaching waters are already threatening the future of coastal communities worldwide. Read the full story, “‘Rising seas are sinking futures’”, on globalissues.org →
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