Publication:

Communiqué of the 1184th Meeting of the Peace and Security Council, held on 7 November 2023, on the African Continental Climate Security Risk Assessment Report on Climate Change, Peace and Security Nexus, and the Report of the Chairperson of the AU Commission on the Study on the Nexus between Climate Change, Peace and Security in Africa.

The preliminary study findings and the report from the AU Commission's Chairperson on Climate Change were noted and welcomed, and while applauding the AU Commission's efforts in carrying out the African Continental Climate Security Risk Assessment on Climate Change, Council voiced grave worry about the impacts of climate change in Africa, particularly those pertaining to peace and security. Council requested that the AU Commission quickly finalize and combine these documents, taking into account the input from all AU Member States as well as the RECs/RMs, to create a comprehensive report that will be presented to the Council for further consideration. Council further placed emphasis on the following: (i) ensuring broad inclusivity by involving the most marginalized; (ii) investing in risk prevention and resilience building; (iii) strengthening African analysis, research, and data collection; (iv) engaging with the private sector and civil society; and (v) mobilizing funding to significantly increase climate financing under Africa's unique needs and circumstances, particularly for climate change adaptation and resilience building. Member States were encouraged to ensure sufficient investment in the green transition. Last but not least, Council asked the AU Commission to (i) mainstream climate change in all of its activities, particularly in early warning and prevention of climate change related violent conflicts, and (ii) to present the preliminary findings of the Study during the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).