Mr. Parfait Onanga-Anyanga
Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the
African Union and Head of UNOAU
SRSG Statement | 1331st Meeting of the AUPSC | Open Session on Climate Change, Peace and Security in Africa
19 February 2026
Your Excellency, Amb Dr. Obaida Eldandarawy, Permanent Representative of the
Arab Republic of Egypt to the AU and Chairperson of the AU PSC for February 2026,
Your Excellency, Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for the AU Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security,
Your Excellency, Mr. Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment,
Excellencies, Distinguished Members of the African Union Peace and Security Council,
Distinguished Partners, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Climate change is no longer a distant risk. It is already reshaping peace and security dynamics across Africa. The continent least responsible for global emissions, yet most affected, faces the harshest climate impacts—with cascading effects on stability, development, and human security. I listened this morning to the strident call made by President Chapo of Mozambique for urgent assistance to his country following the devastation caused by cyclone Guezani. In essence, the President said his government has plans to adapt but lacks adequate funding.
Chairperson,
The recent climatic events in Mozambique and Madagascar are a tell of a grim reality.
We are entering a period of climate overshoot.
The World Meteorological Organization confirms that 2023, 2024 and 2025 were the hottest years ever recorded, and the trend is worsening. Projections indicate a 70% likelihood that the 2025–2029 mean temperature will exceed 1.5°C above pre‑industrial levels.
Across Africa, from the Sahel to the Horn, from North Africa to the Great Lakes and Southern Africa, climate shocks are driving instability by undermining livelihoods, intensifying competition over land and water, displacing communities, enabling armed groups to exploit natural resources, and straining already fragile state systems. The AfDB estimates climate‑induced losses could reach USD 440 billion by 2030, while the World Bank projects up to 105 million Africans could be internally displaced by 2050.
Chairperson,
This trajectory demands stronger political leadership to reinforce the continent’s resilience and safeguard peace. We commend you, Chairperson and PSC Members, for prioritizing this critical matter.
Chairperson, Excellencies,
The question is no longer whether climate change influences peace and security. It does.
As the UN Secretary‑General warned last month: “A world in climate chaos cannot be a world at peace.
Climate change is a threat multiplier: inflaming tensions over land, water and food, forcing people from their homes, and tearing at the ecosystems we all depend on. Climate justice is an investment in peace and security, because vulnerability anywhere becomes a risk everywhere.”, end of quote.
This is a warning, but also a solution. The Secretary‑General has emphasised that adaptation is now a foundation for stability, peace, security and shared prosperity. Africa’s potential is immense: climate‑proofing food systems, water resources and accelerating renewable‑energy, will deliver conflict prevention, peace and development dividends.
I wish to commend the AU for its leadership in addressing climate‑related security risks. The African Leaders Addis Ababa Declaration on Climate Change recognises climate change as a conflict‑risk multiplier and calls for strengthened conflict-sensitive adaptation responses.
Chairperson,
We also meet at a moment of renewed momentum as the AU advances the Common African Position on Climate Change, Peace and Security (CAP‑CPS)—a landmark effort to establish a coherent continental framework. This sets a global precedent for addressing climate‑related security risks, and UNOAU is proud to accompany these processes.
Across the continent, the UN–AU partnership is delivering concrete results. Through the Climate Security Mechanism (CSM) and its deployed CPS advisors, we are supporting Member States and regional bodies. Recently, we supported Somalia to access over USD 100 million in conflict‑sensitive climate finance from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and continue to assist Chad and South Sudan.
Last year, we supported the first AU‑led CPS climate‑finance readiness programme in Cairo. UNOAU and the CSM will continue strengthening support in line with AU leadership.
Excellencies,
As Ethiopia prepares to host COP32, we must ensure Africa’s leadership shapes global outcomes. A successful COP32 must deliver peace dividends for the continent.
This requires integrating climate- and conflict‑risk analysis into early warning and crisis response, reframing adaptation finance to support peace, stability and community resilience, strengthening cross‑border environmental and natural‑resource governance, and scaling up AU–UN action through the CAP‑CPS and the Addis Ababa Declaration to reinforce resilience and adaptive capacity.
Excellencies,
Allow me to conclude with the following recommendations for your consideration:
First, finalizing and operationalizing the CAP‑CPS will be pivotal in providing a coherent continental framework that reflects Africa’s priorities and affirms Africa’s special needs and circumstances.
Second, strengthening AU climate‑security coordination by revitalizing the interdepartmental Climate Security Cluster will reinforce cross‑pillar coherence.
Third, deeper integration of climate‑ and conflict‑risk analysis across AGA/APSA pillars will enhance anticipatory and preventive action.
Fourth, scaling up the mobilisation and targeted allocation of conflict‑sensitive adaptation finance, supported by readiness assistance and capacity‑building will help ensure resources reach the communities that need them most, and,
Fifth, developing a joint CPS roadmap toward COP32, with clear milestones for coordinated AU–UN advocacy, will help consolidate Africa’s unified voice at this critical moment.
The risks are clear. So are the tools. What is needed now is the political will to act collectively and consistently.
I thank you for your kind attention.