United Nations

Ioane Teitiota and Angua Erika and their three New Zealand-born children have lost claims for refugee status due to global warming.

Teitiota has been battling deportation to Kiribati since 2011, when he overstayed his visa.

He argued his family faced indirect persecution from man-made climate change, which has caused rising sea levels, contaminated water, destruction of crops, tidal surges, and extreme weather.

The launch event was presided by Hon. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of Samoa.

“We're calling on the young and digitally-connected to help us push out these compelling stories and give a voice to the voiceless,” said Stephen O'Brien, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in a press release issued earlier today.

“Young people often ask me what they can do to help and I believe we have a shared responsibility to raise awareness and help to inspire humanity on these global issues.”

“That is why I am calling on young people to speak out – and I am urging leaders to listen.”

As the world changes with unprecedented speed, young people are proving to be invaluable partners who can advance meaningful solutions, the Secretary-General stated in a message issued for the Day, observed each year on 12 August.

“Combatting climate change, promoting sustainable development and addressing the vulnerabilities of SIDS will demand partnership, capacity and leadership,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who recalled that the SAMOA Pathway is here “to guide us.”

Last year’s Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Samoa increased global attention on their contributions to sustainable development – but also on their unique vulnerabilities,  Ban reminded to the Council members, who were meeting for an unprecedented debate about the situation of these countries.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the move as a major step that firmly puts the world “on the path to a more prosperous, just and sustainable world for this and future generations.”

General Assembly President Sam Kutesa said today’s action “will further demonstrate our collective commitment towards eradicating poverty, achieving sustainable development and building a better future for all,” and urged UN Member States to “do whatever it will take to ensure that the Addis Ababa Action Agenda is fully implemented.”