On 18 March, the United Nations Office to the African Union participated virtually in a regional dialogue on climate security in the Pacific, jointly hosted by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, with support from Australia and the United Kingdom.
The dialogue brought together policymakers and experts to examine the growing impact of climate change on peace and security across the Pacific, including its effects on livelihoods, governance and social cohesion. UNOAU contributed to a panel on advancing global climate security advocacy and strengthening engagement in international policy processes.
Discussions highlighted global developments on climate, peace and security, including legal and policy frameworks, and explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation between Africa and the Pacific in the lead up to COP31 and COP32.
UNOAU underscored that climate change acts as a risk multiplier, exacerbating fragility and conflict. It highlighted progress in Africa towards developing a Common African Position on Climate, Peace and Security and emphasized the importance of climate finance for fragile and conflict affected contexts.
The exchange also emphasized shared priorities between Africa and the Pacific, including the vulnerabilities of small island developing States and the need for coordinated global action.
