The representative of Kiribati, urging reinvigorated multilateralism, said that the United Nations must remain the central platform for collective global action.  And, to ensure that the Organization deals effectively with the new, complex challenges confronting humanity, the Security Council must be reformed.  Turning to climate change, he underscored the need to “move beyond words to concrete actions”.  Kiribati continues to grapple with the challenges posed by sea-level rise, which endanger its land and agriculture.  Noting that adaptation and resilience-building are critical for low-lying atoll nations like Kiribati, he stressed that coastal protection remains a priority.  And, while adaptative measures such as planting mangroves and demarcating seagrass continue, there must also be interventions in hard infrastructure such as resilient seawalls.  On the profound significance of the ocean to his country’s culture and environment, he said that “the health of our marine ecosystem is intrinsically linked to our nation’s well-being and the well-being of future generations”.