2007 Malé Declaration on the Human Dimension of Global Climate Change

The 2007 Malé Declaration of the Human Dimension of Global Climate Change is the culmination of the Small Island States Conference, convened in Maldives. It underscores that small island states, low-lying coastal states and atoll states are particularly vulnerable to even small changes to the global climate, and are already affected by alterations in ecosystems, changes in precipitation, rising sea levels and increased incidence of natural disasters. It further notes that climate change has clear and immediate implications for the full enjoyment of human rights, including the right to life, right to take part in cultural life, right to use and enjoy property, right to an adequate standard of living, right to food and the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. The Declaration requested the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to seek the cooperation of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Human Rights Council in assessing the human right implications of climate change. The Declaration committed to an inclusive process that put people, their prosperity, homes and survival, and rights at the center of the climate change debate.