The profiles highlight the urgency of climate actions to address the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security, and well-being faced by Pacific peoples.

Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt – The Government of Tuvalu, in partnership with the Government of Kiribati, the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and with the support of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), convened a side event on the margins of the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) to present the high-level summaries of the National Climate Security Risk Assessment Profiles for Tuvalu, Kiribati, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Conducted by the think-tank Adelphi under the joint UNDP-IOM Climate Security in the Pacific project in close collaboration with the Governments of the three countries, the profiles will provide the governments of the three countries, development partners, and decision-makers with scientific, and socio-economic data, evidence of climate-induced insecurities and potential risks of climate-induced conflicts and concrete possible solutions to address climate security issues in the Pacific.

While complementing previous work made by other donors and development partners in the region, the assessment profiles specifically spotlight the security considerations and peacebuilding aspects related to climate change. 
As made clear by the Tuvalu Permanent Representative to the United Nations Samuelu Laloniu in his opening remarks, the climate crisis poses an existential threat to low-lying atolls in the Pacific. “When talking about security in the Pacific, we are talking about the human dimensions of climate change. COP27 represents the ideal occasion for Pacific leaders to highlight the threats that climate change is posing to our peace and security,” Ambassador Laloniu said. 

Hon Takarabu Tofinga, Kiribati Minister of Justice, emphasized the need for concrete climate actions on the ground to tangibly address the human security issues caused by climate change, especially with regard to food security. Hon. Tofinga said, “We are fighting for the future of our children and grandchildren. The support from development partners gives us hope that Kiribati is not alone in this fight.”

Kathy Jetnil-Kijner, Climate Envoy for the Republic of the Marshall Islands, delivered remarks on behalf of Hon. John Silk, Minister of Natural Resources, and stated that “the assessment profiles will support us in addressing the underlying root causes of fragility before conflict arises. In the RMI, social cohesion is critical, and the profiles will guide actions to protect the resilience and identity of our community as a whole.” 

The event included a panel discussion, moderated by the representative of the UN Climate Security Mechanism Catherine Wong, in which the Directors of the Climate Change Departments from the three countries highlighted the high-level findings of the profiles. Clarence Samuel (Director of the RMI Climate Change Directorate), Pepetua Latasi (Director of the Tuvalu Climate Department) and Takena Redfern (Kiribati National Disaster Management Officer), provided an overview of climate risk projections, climate security pathways and potential entry points for decision-makers to address climate security issues.

UNDP Associate Administrator Usha Rao-Monari highlighted the UNDP commitment to climate security. “Climate change impacts human security in a number of ways all over the world. In the Pacific the climate-induced security challenges are a daily reality affecting every dimension of communities’ wellbeing, livelihoods, and even hope. Unique challenges require unique responses, and we stand ready to support Pacific people in achieving their long-term vision of harmony, peace and wellbeing in the context of human development” she said. 

Directly supporting the Boe Declaration and Action Plan endorsed by Pacific Leaders in 2018, the climate security risk assessment profiles aim at shedding light on the security implications of climate change in the region, while also providing a comprehensive and inclusive resilience-building approach to ensure the safety and well-being of Pacific peoples.

The preliminary summaries presented at COP will be followed by final comprehensive reports which will be available in January 2023, to support the governments of the three countries and development partners to better prepare for and respond to the unique climate-related security challenges in the Pacific through informed decision-making.

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Watch the event recording here. 
Download the high-level summaries of the climate security risk assessment profile here.
More information about the side event here.

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For more information:
Giulio Fabris, Communication and Advocacy Specialist - Climate Security Project, UNDP Pacific Office, Fiji | Email: giulio.fabris@undp.org
Tearinibeia Enoo-Teabo, Senior Communication Officer, Office of Te Beretitenti | Email: tteabo@ob.gov.ki
Haimanot Abebe, Media and Communications Officer, IOM Federated States of Micronesia. Email:  haabbebe@iom.int