COMMUNIQUE – IGAD- UN OSEHOA High Level Inter-Ministerial Event on Climate Change, Peace, and Security at the Margins of the 27th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27)

Business
November 9, 2022

Communiqué

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY ON DEVELOPMENT (IGAD) – THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL ENVOY OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR THE HORN OF AFRICA HIGH – LEVEL INTER-MINISTERIAL EVENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE, PEACE AND SECURITY AT THE MARGINS OF THE 27th SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES (COP27)

7 November 2022

Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

The Ministers responsible for Climate Change, Peace and Security from IGAD Member States comprised of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda, met on 7^th November 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. The meeting was held on the margins of the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), convened by Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa (UN OSE HoA). The high-level ministerial event on climate change, peace and security, was held to address the progressive threats of climate change to peace and security in the Horn of Africa.

The high-level meeting attended by H.E. Angelina Jany, Minister of Defense, Republic of South Sudan; H.E. Amb. Tesfaye Yilma, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; Mr Thomas Sakah, Director Administration Security, Ministry of Interior, the Republic of Kenya; Amb. Guelleh Idriss Omar, Director of Multilateral Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Republic of Djibouti; Dr. Hana Hamdalla, Director General of Climate Change, Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources, Republic of Sudan; and Hon. Amongin Jackline, Member of Parliament, Republic of Uganda.

Also in attendance was H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, the Executive Secretary IGAD; and Mr. Cheick Condé, Principal Political Affairs Officer and Chief of Staff of the UN OSE HoA;

Having deliberated on the matter of climate security, peace and security, the Ministers:

Recall UN Security Council Presidential Statement 2011/9, Resolution 2457 (2019) regarding the Silencing the Guns in Africa initiative; and Resolutions 2625, 2632 and 2636 (2022) on the UN Missions in South Sudan, Somalia and Sudan, which recognize with concern the adverse effects of climate change, among other factors, on the stability Member States and emphasize the need for adequate risk assessment and risk management strategies by the respective governments and the United Nations relating to these factors.
Further recallthe commitments adopted at the 984th Meeting of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) held on 9 March 2021 and reiterated on 26 November 2021 and 21 April 2022, underscoring the importance of a Common African Position regarding Climate Change, Peace and Security
Reiteratethe Kampala Declaration on Migration, Environment and Climate Change (July 2022), that identified, among other pathways, climate-induced mobility and its interlinkages to conflict and security; the 27 October 2022 Communique from the IGAD Ministers responsible for Land and Natural Resources, regarding land governance and conflict; and the Communique by the IGAD Ministers responsible for Agriculture on the food crises in East Africa held on 07 October 2022.
Note with concern that the IGAD region is experiencing alarming increase in frequency, severity and concurrence of extreme climatic events that exacerbate threats to peace and security, necessitating a coordinated regional response. The key drivers of climate-related risks to peace and security are: threats to food and water security; climate-induced mobility; historical grievances and cultural practices; and governance and fragility;
Endorse the outcomes of the IGAD technical workshop highlighting the need of a shared understanding of climate-related risks to peace and security; a new coordination mechanism for assessing and managing the risks; a unified position on climate, peace, and security to inform the AU Common Position on Climate Change at COP27; and increased funding to implement solutions;
Underline the importance of sharing best practices from the region and increase awareness and advocacy for early warning for climate-related peace and security risks
Direct IGAD Secretariat to set up a Climate Security Coordination Mechanism, to be housed at IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) and work in collaboration with IGAD’s Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN), to work in collaboration with the UN OSE HoA and UN Climate Security Mechanism and prioritise capacity building of IGAD member states
Appeals to partners and stakeholders at global, continental and regional levels to target finance for addressing climate-related peace and security risks in the Horn of Africa.
Adopt, endorse and remain actively seized of the matter outlined in this communiqué.

Source: Intergovernmental Authority on Development