UNITED NATIONS, New York.- UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for help and investment in small island states in the face of the danger of survival from climate change.

During his speech in the review of the Modalities of Accelerated Action, Guterres urged Governments, the private sector and civil society to strengthen collaboration for progress in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The UN Secretary-General stated that about a quarter of the population of the developing island nations lived at 5 meters or less above sea level, and that relocation could severely affect their societies and way of life.

Guterres also pointed out that the international community should intensify aid in these countries, considered the most vulnerable in the world, and it is time to implement solutions in ocean conservation.