The Permanent Mission of Tuvalu to the United Nations has proposed a resolution to create a legal framework for people displaced by climate change.
Funafuti's oceanside shoreline, Tuvalu Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
It will provide a forum to discuss paths forward through disaster risk reduction programs, legal guidelines, and potential land solutions.
The COP23 Oceans Action forum in Germany has heard the latest scientific evidence on how the effects of ocean warming, acidification, de-oxygenation, sea-level rise and increased storm activity, are making people more vulnerable to migration and displacement.
The forum examined lessons learnt from past involuntary resettlement cases worldwide, methods of disaster risk reduction and key steps that need to be taken to addressing the urgent threat to Small Island Developing States from climate change.
Blue economies 'help islands develop'
Meanwhile, the head of the Global Oean Forum said economic development based on ocean-based so called "blue economies" provided a way forward for sustainable development of coastal and island countries.
Biliana Cicin-Sain, said oceans were important for planetary survival and also offer great opportunities for innovation towards a low-carbon blue economy.
A new declaration has been signed over the weekend at the COP23 to strengthen the global response to climate change and its impact on oceans.
The blue economy includes harvesting and trade of marine life, extraction and use of marine resources, use of oceans-related renewable energies, coastal development and protection, and tourism.