5 September 2023

Nairobi, Kenya – Within the framework of the Africa Climate Summit 2023, the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) as CRSP Secretariat held the side-event: “Strengthening Peace in an Era of Climate Vulnerability: from COP27 to COP28”. The side-event was held in partnership with the African Union Commission Department for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AU PAPS).

The panel included experts such as Counselor Taghreed El Goweily - Representative of the COP27 Presidency Team at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rania Sharshar - Director of Peace and Development Coordination, Dr. Prosper Addo - Deputy Head of Mission of the AU Mission to South Sudan, Dr. Elizabeth Carabine - Climate Security Advisor to the Office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, and Andrew Harper - Special Advisor to the High Commissioner for Refugees on Climate Action. 

The panel discussion covered a range of issues such as (1) Strengthening Africa’s adaptive capacities specifically in adaptation finance, and ensuring that climate adaptation responses trickle down to communities on the local level, (2) Leveraging policy-discussions within various UN and AU bodies to foster integrated, cohesive and holistic climate responses in Africa which contribute to efforts to achieve sustainable peace and development, (3) Advancing African priorities on climate change, peace and security, building on the milestones achieved by the COP27 Presidency and the Climate Responses for Sustaining Peace (CRSP) initiative launched in Sharm El Sheikh COP.

The side event builds on the work of the CRSP Secretariat and partners to bring African priorities on the climate, peace and security nexus to the forefront of policy discussions, and bridge the gap between the local, regional and global action on climate change and efforts to sustain peace, on the road to COP28.