President Karis stresses importance of international scientific cooperation to address sea-level rise

Speaking in New York today at a high-level UN plenary meeting on addressing the existential threats posed by sea-level rise, President Alar Karis highlighted the need for closer international cooperation, especially among scientists. The event was the first of its kind and took place on the initiative of UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

President Karis pointed out that climate change - in particular sea-level rise - will have an enormous impact on developing countries and small states. "This is a problem we all face, and one we can only solve by working closely together," he said. "International cooperation among scientists, the exchange of research data and the provision of risk scenarios are critical steps in tackling climate change."

The head of state put forward the idea of establishing a closer network of scientists via which to share global information on fluctuations in sea level and the risks they pose. He also emphasised the importance of involving indigenous peoples and local communities, as they have first-hand understanding and experience of the impact of rising sea levels.

President Karis called for the use of innovative technological solutions, including AI and monitoring tools, to improve the mapping and risk analysis of climate impact. "We must find new ways of supporting science-based risk management and environmental monitoring so as to offer solutions not only to countries already affected by rising sea levels, but also to those it will threaten in the future," he said.

Noting that Estonia is a maritime nation with more than 3000 km of coastline, the head of state said, "The sea is our heritage, and forms part of our livelihood. We feel a connection to all maritime countries that are closely linked by our oceans. We have a lot of small islands that are directly affected by rising sea levels."

President Karis concluded his address by mentioning an Estonian initiative which has inspired global cooperation: World Cleanup Day. Launched in Estonia in 2008, the event has grown into a global movement and gained official status as a UN Day. The head of state expressed his hope that the same spirit of cooperation would be applied to cleaning up the world's oceans and mitigating the impact of climate change.

Gallery: Office of the President of the Republic: https://www.flickr.com/photos/presidendikantselei/albums/