David W.R. Adeang M.P, President of Nauru, said that, as the world faces unprecedented challenges to peace and security, Nauru stands firmly against war and conflict, believing that dialogue and diplomacy must always prevail over division.  “The principles enshrined in the UN Charter — peace, human rights and international cooperation — remain our guiding light,” he said.  “Nauru may not have military might, but we have moral authority earned through our commitment to peaceful coexistence and multilateral solutions.”  Small island developing States face a fundamental challenge — breaking cycles of dependency that constrain their growth and threaten economic sovereignty.  “Nauru’s strategy is simple:  Invest in our people — they are our greatest asset and the foundation of our future,” he said.  “Education, healthcare and opportunity keep our communities strong, our youth engaged and our nation moving forward.”  This principle guides every partnership and initiative, including its relationships with Australia and China.

For small island nations like Nauru, vulnerability goes far beyond income.  “It’s the daily reality of disrupted supply chains, narrow economic choices, geographic isolation and the outsized impacts of crises we cannot control,” he said.  Noting that conventional measures of Nauru’s national income suggest it has surpassed certain thresholds, he said income alone fails to capture the country’s fragility, such as its isolation, climate pressures and economic shocks.  He commended the UN for advancing the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index, which reflects the country’s experience that vulnerability also includes exposure to shocks and capacity to respond.  This week’s first Biennial Summit provides an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the UN and multilateral institutions.  Such collaboration should establish the Index as the benchmark for determining eligibility for development support, concessional finance and technical assistance.

Turning to climate change, he said the United Nations has recognized what is self-evident to Nauru:  “Climate change is not just an environmental crisis, it is a direct threat to our peace, our security and the very survival of our nation.”  The International Court of Justice has issued an Advisory Opinion of profound moral and political significance, echoing the urgent warnings of the Pacific region.  As COP30 approaches, small island developing States still face unacceptable barriers to climate finance.  “Concrete climate action cannot be postponed any longer,” he said, adding that Nauru has placed hope in its Higher Ground Initiative, which would build climate-resilient communities on elevated land, powered by renewable energy and sustainable water systems.  In addition, the Pacific Resilience Facility aims to deliver much-needed financing directly to Pacific communities on the front lines of climate change.  By pooling resources and investing in local adaptation, the Facility is a new model for building lasting resilience.

Regarding the International Seabed Authority, he said the criticisms Nauru has faced for its decisions within the Authority miss the point.  The true focus should be ensuring the Authority fulfils its mandate to the common heritage of humankind.  As a small island developing State and a sponsoring State for deep seabed mineral exploration, Nauru has invested significantly, through its sponsored entity, to access minerals essential to shift away from fossil fuels and advance the common heritage of humankind.  Advocating consistently for robust regulations that balance responsible mineral recovery with effective environmental protection, Nauru invoked the two-year rule in good faith.  It expected the multilateral system to fulfil its treaty obligations in the same spirit.  “Yet, negotiations remain polarized, and the timely adoption of the regulations appears increasingly elusive,” he said.  Nauru welcomes all nations’ growing recognition of seabed minerals’ importance, including United States President Trump’s recent decision to advance seabed mineral exploration and development.  For Nauru, seabed minerals are more than economic diversification — “they are a pathway to resilience and a chance to contribute to global solutions”.