Geneva Peace Week Event - Climate Action for Conflict Prevention and Peace: Lessons & Opportunities from Asia and the Pacific
Register for Geneva Peace Week
The interplay between climate action and peacebuilding is increasingly recognized as a vital frontier in tackling global challenges. Climate action, while essential for addressing the impacts of climate change, can inadvertently heighten tensions or trigger new conflicts if poorly designed. On the other hand, it holds immense potential to foster sustainable peace when rooted in conflict-sensitive, equitable approaches. Similarly, climate finance can either build resilience and stability or deepen societal divides if mismanaged.
In the Asia-Pacific—a region marked by climate vulnerability, environmental degradation, and socio-political tensions—this nexus remains underexplored. Yet, communities there are already taking action to build resilience at the intersection of climate and conflict. Drawing on lessons from this region, including case studies from Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea, this panel explores practical strategies for linking climate action to conflict prevention and sustainable peace to turn climate action into peace in action. While using the Asia- Pacific region as a starting point, this panel aims at informing a broader dialogue on how climate action and finance can be leveraged to prevent conflict, promote resilience, and advance sustainable peace, offering lessons for global strategies.
Key Questions:
- How can climate action be more conflict-sensitive and uphold the principle of "do no harm"?
- What strategies can ensure that climate action actively contributes to peace and resilience in conflict-prone areas?
- How can risks associated with climate finance - such as inequitable distribution—be mitigated?
- What opportunities does climate finance offer for conflict prevention, and how can they be maximized in the Asia-Pacific?
- What insights can be drawn from Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea in linking climate action with peacebuilding?
Expected Outcomes:
This panel will foster dialogue and knowledge-sharing on integrating climate action with peacebuilding in the Asia-Pacific. By highlighting lessons and best practices, it aims to inform more effective, equitable, and sustainable global approaches to addressing the intertwined challenges of climate change and conflict.
Target Audience:
Policymakers, practitioners, and experts in peacebuilding, climate action, development, and climate finance, as well as representatives from international organizations, NGOs, academia, civil society, and donor institutions. The event will be hybrid, requiring prior registration.
Format/Agenda:
The panel discussion will be divided in 2 rounds of 30 minutes each. In the first round, each speaker will answer the following thematic questions: i) what strategies can ensure that climate action actively contributes to peace and resilience in conflict-prone areas?; ii) how can risks associated with climate finance - such as inequitable distribution—be mitigated? (around 5-6 minutes per answer). In the second round, each speaker will answer the following thematic questions: i) what opportunities does climate finance offer for conflict prevention, and how can they be maximized in the Asia-Pacific?; ii) what insights can be drawn from Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea in linking climate action with peacebuilding? The moderator will then open the discussion with the audience (30-40 minutes).
Speakers
- Janani Vivekananda, Head of Programme, Climate Diplomacy and Security, adelphi
- Elisa Urwin, Head of Research, Centre on Conflict, Development & Peacebuilding (CCDP), Geneva Graduate Institute
- Helen Hakena, Executive Director, Leitana Nehan Women's Development Agency
Register Here
