Photo: UN
The Marshall Islands president has warned that if the world does not act to save Pacific nations from rising sea levels then "there is really no United Nations at all."
The UN General Assembly is underway in New York.
The leaders from 12 Pacific Island countries are attending this year with the bulk of them scheduled to speak on Thursday and Friday local time.
The Marshall Islands president David Kabua was the first to address the general debate and he did not waste any time in making his point.
"We value the United Nations as our primary international stage, but if the world does not adequately respond to the island nations and as seas rise then there is really no United Nations at all."
Kabua touched on many topics, condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine and noting the sting of its impacts on Marshall Island's economy.
Speaking up for Taiwan
And, as one of Taiwan's few remaining Pacific allies, Kabua spoke up for Taipei which is still not recognised at the UN.
"The Republic of the Marshall Islands condemns the recent military actions of the People's Republic of China in the Taiwan Strait. This has threatened to disrupt peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and across the globe."
But it wasn't just China getting called out.
"My country, the Marshall Islands, was ground zero for the testing of 67 nuclear and thermal nuclear weapons for 12 years during the UN-US administered trusteeship era.
"The exposure of our people and land has created impacts that have lasted, and will last, for generations. These impacts to our human rights, land, culture, health and lives are burdens that no other country or nation should ever have to bare.
"Our own experience, history and current challenges to nuclear exposure are key drivers for urging progress and reducing and ultimately eliminating nuclear risk.
"We welcome effective and meaningful progress on this from major powers and nuclear weapons states and from all states and whatever form it can effectively be achieved."
'The greatest challenge'
One of the biggest messages David Kabua had for world leaders at the general debate though is one other Pacific Island leaders will address.
"As a member of the Pacific Island family we rally and acknowledge that the greatest challenge and threat is climate change.
"As a low-lying atoll nation whose future is at risk, there could be no stronger statement nor should climate change be considered in isolation, tackling complex adaptation measures within in a wider fragility makes our task just that much more difficult."
Kabua proposed a carbon levy for international shipping as part of its commitment to climate change.
He told the General Assembly the world needs to drastically increase its renewable energy output, while also announcing the Marshall Islands' zero emission shipping commitment.
"The Marshall Islands has proposed a carbon levy for international shipping. That will drive the transition to zero emission shipping. Channelling resources to polluters to the most vulnerable. I humbly urge all countries to embrace this."
Containment of nuclear waste in the Marshall Islands. Photo: Supplied
