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U.N. Security Council members urge full implementation of Resolution 2773 to address climate-driven instability in Great Lakes
Summary
Representatives for Security Council members that joined a joint pledge on climate, peace and security urged states and regional bodies to fully implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 2773 to address climate-driven instability in the Great Lakes region, citing the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Representatives for Security Council members that joined a joint pledge on climate, peace and security urged states and regional bodies to fully implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 2773 and take immediate steps to address climate-linked instability in the Great Lakes region, citing the current crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
"Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Panama, The Republic Of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, The United Kingdom, and my own country, France, come together today to underline the intricate relationships between climate change, peace, and security in the Great Lakes region," the Representative of France said, listing countries aligned with the joint pledge.
The speaker told the council that climate change is a "risk multiplier" that can intensify competition over natural resources, deepen social inequalities and drive displacement. They said three priorities should guide responses: building resilient local systems to manage land, water and natural-resource conflicts; integrating climate risks into conflict-resolution and peacebuilding; and strengthening partnerships with civil society and local stakeholders.
"The recurrence of conflict in the Great Lakes also takes place in the context characterized by food and water insecurity, environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and resource exploitation," the Representative of France said, and reaffirmed "the utmost need for all partners to fully implement resolution 2773 with the urgent objective of reaching an effective and lasting cessation of hostilities."
The speaker called for scaling up community-driven approaches and for the United Nations "climate security mechanism" to deploy advisers who address links between climate, peace and security on the ground. They emphasized including the voices of women, youth and marginalized groups and urged multi-stakeholder action, including "women and youth led organizations," in humanitarian response and peacebuilding.
The statement also urged the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and regional economic communities to collaborate on climate-sensitive conflict responses and to enhance early warning systems, disaster risk reduction and comprehensive climate-responsive planning.
The Representative of France said the members look forward to continuing cooperation with the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes and to "work towards addressing the growing impacts of climate change on international peace and security." The speaker closed the remarks, "I thank you."
