Press Releases
Island States Ocean Summit "Sea Level Rise and International Law" Session
June 3, 2026
On June 3, commencing at 12:45 p.m. for approximately 1 hour, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan held the session "Sea Level Rise and International Law" as a special event of Island States Ocean Summit, hosted by The Nippon Foundation and co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (UNESCO/IOC), at a hotel in Tokyo. (approximately 50 participants including heads of state from relevant countries).
H.E. Mr. Surangel S. WHIPPS, Jr., President of Palau
H.E. Mr. Tomohiro MIKANAGI, Ambassador-at-Large of Japan for Cooperation on International Law
H.E. Dr. Hilda C. HEINE, President of Marshall Islands
H.E. Mr. Anthony SMITH Jr., Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy of Antigua and Barbuda
H.E. Mr. Ibrahim MIMRAH, Minister of State for Climate Change, Environment and Energy for Maldives
Venue of the Island States Ocean Summit
- In his opening remarks, H.E. Mr. Surangel S. WHIPPS, Jr., President of Palau, emphasized that addressing various challenges related to sea level rise caused by climate change is a matter of justice. He noted that legal norms under international law have already been clarified through last years’ ICJ Advisory Opinion and the ILC’s Final Report. He stressed the importance of the international community to further discuss and promote cooperation based on the legal norms, and expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for hosting this session, as a concrete example of such cooperation.
- Subsequently, H.E. Mr. Tomohiro MIKANAGI, Ambassador-at-Large of Japan for Cooperation on International Law, addressed the issues of international law concerning sea level rise. He raised the following points regarding the future direction of discussions in the international community including Japan, while referring to the maintenance of baselines and maritime zones and the continuity of statehood, and acknowledging the continued efforts of island nations and Japan's contributions.
- What are the impacts of sea level rise caused by climate change?
- How is international law expected to uphold the existence and rights of island nations in the face of sea level rise caused by climate change?
- What kind of cooperation is required when a situation arises in which the entire land territory or specific features constituting part of the territory are submerged?
- In response, representing the relevant countries, H.E. Dr. Hilda C. HEINE, President of Marshall Islands, H.E. Mr. Anthony SMITH Jr., Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy of Antigua and Barbuda, and H.E. Mr. Ibrahim MIMRAH, Minister of State for Climate Change, Environment and Energy for Maldives, described that sea level rise has caused serious impacts on economies and livelihoods of islands nations. Bearing in mind the points raised by Ambassador MIKANAGI, they stated that the issue of territorial submersion due to sea level rise is not a mere concern but a reality that island nations are now facing. They argued that statehood should continue even if a land territory, which is one of the constituent elements for statehood, is submerged due to sea level rise. From this perspective, they emphasized the importance of the international community continuing active discussions toward the formulation of lex ferenda (desirable law) to ensure the continuity of statehood.
- In his closing remarks, President Whipps stated that this session clarified the international legal issues concerning sea level rise. Referring to Palau’s remote islands, he particularly emphasized that even in the event of the submersion of land features that do not affect statehood, the maritime rights and entitlements of states — including island nations — such as exclusive economic zones and continental shelves, must be maintained under international law.
