Parliamentary event

The Peace, Climate Change and Disarmament Nexus

The role of Parliaments in linking peace, climate change and disarmament actions to ensure a sustainable future.

The 7th international parliamentary event in follow-up to the publication Assuring our Common Future, a parliamentary handbook on disarmament for security and sustainable development.
Thursday, November 23, 2023 | Online

Thursday, 23 November 2023 11:00- 12:30 Eastern Time / 17.00 – 18:30 CET

An online joint event of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, World Future Council and Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament. The event focuses on the section of Assuring our Common Future on Disarmament, climate and sustainable development. The event is open to participation by parliamentarians and others interested.

Registration

Speakers:

  • Ms. Kattia Cambronero Aguiluz MP,  Costa Rica
  • Issa Mardo Djabir MP, Chad. Chair of the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development
  • Neshan Gunasekera, Sri Lanka/Sweden. Co-chair, World Future Council Commission on the UN Summit of the Future. Visiting Fellow at the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law in Lund, Sweden.
  • Alyn Ware, New Zealand/Czech Republic. Global Coordinator, Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament

Moderator:

  • Rebecca Shoot, USA. Executive Director, Citizens for Global Solutions. Co-chair, Washington Working Group on the International Criminal Court. Senior Advisor, Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament

Objectives of the event

  1. Increase awareness of the intricate relationships linking peace, climate change and disarmament;
  2. Enhance knowledge of the New Agenda for Peace, the International Court of Justice's advisory case on climate change obligations, the UN Summit of the Future, and the important roles of MPs in these processes;
  3. Share examples of effective policies and parliamentary practices that advance and link the various aspects of peace, climate change and disarmament.

Background

The interwoven dynamics of peace, climate change and disarmament form an intricate tapestry, dictating the trajectory of sustainable futures worldwide. In addition, as global temperatures rise, the potential for resource scarcity, displaced populations, and geopolitical tensions escalate further, a reality that affects all, but particularly nations in conflict-affected contexts where these consequences hit the hardest.

Within this complex paradigm, initiatives and processes for international conflict resolution and disarmament emerge not only as imperatives to ensure human security, but also as pathways to redirecting financial, human and political resources to address the climate crisis and ensure a sustainable future.

As climate change is further driving conflict in many parts of the world, the urgency to develop national, regional and global solutions is more critical than ever. Members of Parliament, by wielding their parliamentary functions with intent and awareness, can shape discourse, advance policies, and undertake resource allocation decisions that embed climate action, human security, peace and disarmament at the heart of decision-making.

With reference to the IPU resolution “Parliamentary strategies to strengthen peace and security against threats and conflicts resulting from climate-related disasters and their consequences”, this event will touch on multiple international instances where MPs have a key role to play. These include the :

  • 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), where a thematic day on Recovery and Peace will be held, for the first time, to address climate change in fragile and conflict-affected contexts;
  • Unanimous submission of a request to the International Court of Justice on the "Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change" by the UN General Assembly;
  • UN Summit of the Future in September 2024.

For more information see IPU November 23 event page.