From 27 April to 1 May, the United Nations Office to the African Union participated in Climate, Peace and Security Week in New York, joining Member States, the African Union, United Nations entities and regional organizations to advance cooperation on climate-related peace and security challenges.
UNOAU supported the organization of a high-level event on "Climate, Peace and Security: African Regional Perspectives and Responses," co-sponsored by Austria, Denmark, the African Union, Slovenia, Mozambique, Liberia and the Climate Security Mechanism. Discussions highlighted African-led approaches to addressing climate-related security risks through early warning, regional coordination and policy integration, while identifying opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and African regional organizations.
During the week, UNOAU also briefed the Co-Chairs of the UN Security Council Informal Expert Group on Climate and Security and participated in discussions with the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, on integrating climate, peace and security into conflict prevention and political engagement.
At the Berlin Climate Security Conference – New York Edition, UNOAU moderated a session on the interlinkages between climate and conflict in Africa. Discussions underscored the need to translate political commitments into practical action and highlighted the importance of sustained engagement ahead of COP31 and COP32.
The week concluded with a working session of Africa-based Climate, Peace and Security Advisors, co-organized by UNOAU, which strengthened coordination on the development of the Common African Position on Climate, Peace and Security and preparations for COP32.
