In collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark in South Africa, ACCORD hosted a Roundtable Discussion on the Impact of Climate Change on Peace Operations on 28 March 2025 at the Danish Ambassador’s Residence in Pretoria, South Africa.
Participants included representatives from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the African Union (AU) Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) Departments, Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms, the United Nations Office to the AU (UNOAU), the recently concluded Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). Experts from international and regional climate organisations, such as the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), as well as environmental and climate specialists from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and academics from South African universities, also contributed to the discussions.
The discussion explored how climate change influences strategic, operational, and tactical peace operations. It examined key challenges in integrating climate considerations into peacekeeping efforts and the role of regional and international actors in mitigating climate security risks. The discussion further highlighted strategies for managing climate-related risks in peace operations, with participants sharing experiences from past and present missions and innovative approaches that enhance climate resilience. Participants also discussed ways to improve coordination between UN agencies, the AU, host nations, partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen climate adaptation efforts in peace operations.
ACCORD remains committed to advancing discussions on climate, peace and security, and supporting policies that enhance peace operations in Africa.
