Foreign Minister Osman Saleh, who is leading Eritrea's delegation at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, addressed the high-level plenary meeting on the existential threats posed by sea-level rise at UN headquarters on Thursday 24 September.

In his remarks he delivered what was described as a clear message to neighbouring Ethiopia, without naming the country.

The minister said Eritrea has put protective and conservation measures in place against the effects of rising sea levels, and stressed the need for stable and secure maritime zones as well as respect for the sovereign rights of coastal states over their lawful waters.

He closed by saying that coastal states have an important and irreplaceable role in safeguarding and strengthening a sustainable and stable marine ecosystem.