Cities and regions are tackling sea level rise

The “Sea’ties Declaration” was launched at the Sea’ties Forum “Cities and their Territories Tackling Sea Level Rise” hosted during the One Ocean Summit (February 9-11, 2022).

Signed by more than 40 mayors and governors of coastal cities across the world, the Declaration calls for an acceleration in the transformation of cities and their territories, highlighting four priority actions:

• the mobilisation of science and observation systems
• the integration of societal issues within adaptation plans
• the fostering of adaptive and hybrid solutions
• the increase of public funding and private investments for adaptation to sea level rise

By supporting this call to action, the mayors and governors, who are the first acting witnesses of the changes, are urging the international community and the Heads of States and Governments present in Brest to take up this challenge and endorse them in their transition.

Ahead of the United Nations conference on the ocean (27 June – 1 July, Portugal) and COP 27 (7 – 18 November, Egypt) that should give a prominent place to adaptation, this declaration is an opportunity to make the voice of coastal populations heard as well as to prepare international commitments.