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Commonwealth leaders state sinking nations must keep their maritime boundaries

In a boost for Pacific Islands such as Tuvalu under risk from rising seas, Commonwealth countries settled on Saturday that a country's maritime boundaries must stay repaired even if environment modification causes small island states to be submerged.

The 56 nations with roots in Britain's empire issued the Commonwealth's very first Ocean Declaration at the end of a summit of the group in Samoa.

The statement says the Commonwealth leaders verify that members can maintain their maritime zones under the law of the sea and that the rights that flow from them continue to apply, no matter physical modifications linked to climate change associated water level rise.

Fixing maritime limits indicates atoll nations can continue to gain the economic advantage of huge fishing premises, even if much of the population must migrate as its dry land location is significantly reduced.

The Commonwealth relocation follows a project by Tuvalu, where 60% of locals survive on an atoll scientists forecast will be half submerged by tides by 2050, to secure statehood in all time under global law.

The U.N. International Law Commission, which will release a. report on sea-level increase next year, in July flagged its support. for a strong anticipation that statehood would continue where a. country's land was absolutely or partly immersed by increasing sea. levels caused by environment change.

Of the Commonwealth members, 49 have a shoreline and 25 are. small island developing states.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland stated the. declaration will offer real intend to lots of who are frightened and. are feeling nobody's watching.

Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said the first. ocean statement by Commonwealth nations had actually been embraced in. an area of the world where environment change is the greatest. risk to security.

(source: Reuters)