Stepping up Preventive Action: From Environmental…

With increased climate-related security risks in several regions across the globe, marked by loss of livelihoods, food and water insecurity, competition over scarce natural resources, human mobility and political and economic instability, the meeting will offer space to discuss:

• Firstly, how can the UN Security Council strengthen its conflict prevention efforts when it comes to tensions over natural resources?
• Secondly, how can the UN system equip the UN Security Council with comprehensive risk assessments and early warning on risks related to natural resource-related tensions, environmental degradation and the impacts of climate change?
• And finally, how can we integrate natural resource management, environmental protection and climate adaptation into opportunities for peace through inclusive dialogue, trust and mutual understanding at various levels?

Briefers:

1. Amy Pope, Director-General of International Organization for Migration
2. Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa
3. Civil Society Representative (TBC)

2023 was a devastating year for both climate and conflict. Conflicts increased by 12 per cent compared to 2022. At the same time, it was the hottest year on record, perilously close to the 1.5°C threshold. Climate disasters and conflicts affect livelihoods, lead to mass displacements both within and across borders, and further deepen pre-existing inequalities and vulnerabilities.

More than 40 per cent of internal armed conflicts over the past 60 years have been linked to natural resources which are essential to achieving sustainable development. However, increasing demand combined with the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, poor resource management, scarcity and unequal access, all intensify the competitive pressures between communities over access, use and control of natural resources. With the current pace of climate change and degradation, tensions over natural resources increasingly trigger, fuel or drive armed conflicts.

The meeting, is organized by Slovenia together with Guyana, Republic of Korea and Sierra Leone. It will be chaired by Ambassador Samuel Žbogar, Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council.