ADMiR Participates in AU Consultation on Climate Change, Peace, and Security
Nairobi, Kenya, August 27-29, 2024
The African Disaster Mitigation Research Center (ADMiR) took part in a pivotal African Union Commission (AUC) consultation from August 27 to 29, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya. Prof. Hatem Odah, Senior Advisor at ADMiR, represented the institute, contributing expertise to the discussions on the Common African Position on Climate Change, Peace, and Security (CAP-CCPS).
This high-level event brought together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across the continent to address the growing interconnection between climate change impacts and security risks in Africa. Participants engaged in collaborative efforts to bridge policy gaps, enhance technical capacities, secure funding, and improve decision-making processes that address the combined challenges of climate and security.
Tackling the Intersection of Climate Change, Peace, and Security
Recognizing the role of climate change as a "threat multiplier," the consultation focused on ways climate shocks can exacerbate socio-political vulnerabilities, triggering conflicts and instability. The key objective was to align national, regional, and continental strategies to manage the evolving risks and bolster resilience in African countries.
Prof. Hatem Odah and other experts engaged in knowledge-sharing sessions, contributing to the development of innovative strategies for climate adaptation, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding. Capacity-building efforts were highlighted as essential to empower African nations to develop robust climate-security frameworks aligned with Agenda 2063 and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030).
Key Outcomes and Recommendations
The consultation emphasized the need to:
- Develop forward-thinking climate-security strategies based on scientific data.
- Secure climate financing to support adaptation, resilience, and peacebuilding initiatives.
- Integrate climate considerations into peace support operations (PSOs) and other security policies.
- Strengthen technical capacities of Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and Regional Mechanisms (RMs) to respond effectively to climate and security challenges.
- Advocate for global polluters to compensate African countries for climate-induced impacts.
Participants also discussed the Africa Climate Security Risk Assessment (ACRA) report, which outlines the current landscape of climate-related conflicts across the continent. Through regional breakout sessions, participants tailored the draft CAP-CCPS to address specific national and regional priorities.
A Path Forward
The draft Common African Position on Climate Change, Peace, and Security will now be shared with AU member states and submitted to the AU Peace and Security Council for further consideration and potential adoption. This unified position aims to attract international climate finance, enhance cooperation in global forums, and ensure that Africa’s climate-security priorities are well-represented on the global stage.
In his remarks, Dr. Sarjoh Bah, Director of the Conflict Management Directorate at the AU Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department, stressed the urgency of action:
“Climate change is a ‘threat multiplier’ that demands immediate, robust strategies. Our approach must be data-driven, integrating adaptation and mitigation efforts into peacebuilding initiatives.”
Ambassador Katana Angore of Kenya emphasized the importance of a united voice:
“Kenya believes that a Common African Position will bridge policy gaps, attract climate finance, and improve decision-making. It is crucial that we present a united voice in global forums to address peace and security challenges.”
Mr. Amme Mohamedy of Mauritania, representing the AU Chairperson, expressed gratitude for Kenya’s hospitality and acknowledged the contributions of all participants and partners.
ADMiR’s participation in this event highlights the institute’s commitment to advancing disaster resilience and climate-security solutions across Africa, reflecting its mission to support African-driven strategies that address the continent’s pressing challenges.
