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The UN General Assembly has adopted the Declaration on Sea Level Rise, establishing a common political framework for States to respond to rising seas and address their consequences for affected populations. The next question is how States will fulfil their human rights obligations as they put those commitments into practice. We are urging Member States to clearly identify and apply their human rights obligations as they address sea level rise. For example, governments will decide which communities receive adaptation funding and how people facing the loss of their homes and land are supported. Human rights standards, including for the meaningful participation of affected communities in determining their future, and the preservation of cultural heritage and livelihoods are directly relevant to decisions States have to take about sea level rise. At the international level, cooperation will shape whether countries facing the greatest risks, particularly Small Island Developing States, can access the resources needed to protect their populations. The Declaration underscores the continuity of statehood in the face of sea level rise, as well as sovereignty, sovereign rights and responsibilities, and calls for international support for States facing land and territory changes due to sea level rise to continue to maintain their functions. Moving forward, making the applicable human rights obligations, including to cooperate, explicit is essential to ensuring they inform actions and decisions from the outset and provide clear standards for accountability. sdgs.un.org/universal/sea-level-rise-decla...