International cooperation is crucial to help small island nations like Seychelles address the impact of climate change, President Wavel Ramkalawan said in his keynote address at the World Government Summit in Dubai.
Ramkalawan delivered his address on “The Era of Climate Change: The Urgency of Addressing Rising Seas” during the plenary session of the summit on Tuesday.
He said that although climate change affects the development of all nations regardless of location, size of the economy or demographics, no other group of nations is more vulnerable to its devastating effects than small islands developing states (SIDS).
“Climate change is the current reality and a nightmare for SIDS like Seychelles with the majority of our people living on land that is less than five metres above sea level or along coasts; the threat of sea rise, storm surges and coastal destruction pose existential risks to us,” said Ramkalawan.
Seychelles’ President highlighted the fact that SIDS live through constant assaults from climate change that undermines their livelihood, security and mere existence.