Diversified Pathways for Preserving Land-Based Territorial Functions and Ensuring the Continued Exercise of Maritime Entitlements for SIDS amid Sea-Level Rise

Land erosion caused by sea-level rise does not undermine Small Island Developing States (SIDS)’ statehood or the enjoyment of maritime entitlements, but threatens their land-based territorial functions and the exercise of those entitlements. In response to these challenges, SIDS have adopted a range of measures across three dimensions of law, management, and science and technology. While SIDS have made considerable efforts to preserve land-based territorial functions and ensure the continued exercise of maritime entitlements, further improvements remain achievable. In particular, existing legal measures could be further strengthened through better internal coordination. As for management measures, coastal protection measures are constrained by high costs and ecological impacts, while resettlement would benefit from a more systematic approach. The scientific and technological capacity of SIDS is constrained by funding and skills shortages. Therefore, SIDS could pursue the integrated application and systematic improvement of these three categories of measures. With regard to legal measures, constitutional provisions and special laws, complemented by soft law, could ensure internal legal coherence. With regard to management measures, priority could be given to cost-effective nature-based solutions and systematic resettlement strategies. With regard to science and technology, SIDS could leverage the Ocean Decade to secure more financial and technical support. These diversified pathways could offer a comprehensive response to the challenges posed by sea-level rise.