Sea levels could rise 0.74m in Malaysia by 2100, says Tok Mat

Malaysian foreign minister Mohamad Hasan addressed the growing threat of rising sea levels in his country during a high-level meeting at the United Nations. He warned that sea levels along Malaysia's coastline could increase by up to 0.74 meters by the year 2100, posing significant challenges for the development and resilience of the maritime and coastal nation.

Speaking at the assembly, Mohamad highlighted that these alarming projections are already impacting islands and coastal regions. The effects of sea-level rise pose direct implications for Malaysia's water security, agriculture, and infrastructure. Coastal communities are increasingly vulnerable to flooding, erosion, and saltwater intrusion, according to the minister.

In response to these growing concerns, Malaysia is strengthening its national adaptation efforts through its Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0 and the development of the Malaysia National Adaptation Plan. However, Mohamad emphasized that developing countries like Malaysia cannot tackle climate change alone. He called on developed nations to fulfill their commitments regarding climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building.

For such support to be effective, it must be predictable, accessible, and adequate, the minister stressed.

Moreover, Malaysia welcomed the declaration adopted at the meeting, which emphasized the importance of science, data, and preparedness in addressing sea-level rise. The consensus of the declaration demonstrates the value of multilateral cooperation in combating the issue. Mohamad highlighted that the priority now is to focus on implementing the declaration's recommendations.