Delivered by Representatives of the UAE, Gabon, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland
Joined by the representatives of Albania and Ghana
Today, ahead of the UAE’s Signature Presidency event on Climate Change, Peace and Security, Gabon, Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland and my own country, the UAE, have come together as part of the Joint CPS Pledges, Albania and Ghana in their national capacity, to drive this agenda forward.
The interlinkages between climate change and peace and security are undeniable. Disputes over increasingly scarce resources, changing agricultural patterns, destruction of critical infrastructure and population displacement are some of the key drivers that contribute to conflict and violence, and climate change will act as a risk multiplier for these drivers. Climate change will jeopardise human life, livelihoods, and ecosystems and consequently it will adversely impact local, national, regional, and global stability and security.
We are aware that the multilateral system has not faced a challenge as complex as climate change in its history. No one government or international organisation can respond to the challenge of climate change alone. It is imperative that the multilateral system utilises the full breadth of its distinct but complementary mandates to drive appropriate responses, tailored to the specific circumstances of each situation.
The Security Council must meet its responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security by confronting and preparing to manage the full range of conflict risk factors that climate change is likely to exacerbate. This starts with data collection and analysis in order to understand how climate change will impact – both now and in the future – the implementation of UN peace operations– and to guide how the Security Council can act in the face of such challenges.
Climate-related hazards complexify UN peace operations’ ability to respond to violence and facilitate conflict prevention and resolution. Flooding, sandstorms and other climate-related hazards impact peacekeeping troops’ mobility and operations, including their access to impacted populations.
Additionally, UN peace operations must also reduce their carbon footprint. Emission reduction will not only allow the UN to lead by example in mitigation efforts, but it will also be a positive force with the kind of energy infrastructure that strengthens the resilience of local communities.
As responsible and committed members of the Security Council and to the climate, peace and security agenda, we stand ready to consolidate our efforts to advance a systematic, responsive, and evidence- based approach to climate change, peace and security.