Addressing the challenges of climate-induced human mobility in SIDS through effective partnerships, in a context of recovery from COVID-19
Tue 31 Jan 2023, 1.15 pm
Background
The side event on "Addressing the challenges of climate-induced human mobility in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) through effective partnerships, in a context of recovery from COVID-19" was held on Tuesday 31 January 2023, from 1:15pm - 2:30pm (New York time) at Conference room 5 in UNHQ, New York, on the margins of ECOSOC Partnership Forum 2023. This side event was convened in a hybrid format (in-person and virtual) in English.
The event was co-organized by the Permanent Mission of Portugal to the UN, the Permanent Mission of Samoa to the UN, International Organization for Migration, the UN Department for Economic and Social Affair, and the UN High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.
Context
Sudden and slow-onset disasters are challenging the human security of SIDS, including culture, identity, health and livelihoods. Environmental hazards are already directly and indirectly driving climate-related mobility, with larger movement of communities on the horizon if action is not taken. Many of these challenges have been impacted by COVID-19.
SIDS are at the forefront of innovative and sustainable solutions grounded in local knowledge and vast experience in overcoming and planning for continuous shocks. Across the Caribbean and the Pacific, governments, development partners and the UN are pioneering initiatives to address climate disasters and mobility which serves to avoid worst case scenarios particularly for vulnerable groups.
On the one hand, challenges remain as the level of international engagement and financial support on climate security in SIDS has been inadequate and inconsistent. On the other hand, practices on the ground have proved that strong partnerships are crucial to comprehensively address the challenges of climate-induced human mobility in the SIDS context. It is imperative that all stakeholders join efforts in a complementary and holistic manner to ensure most vulnerable segments of the society are prioritized.
Objective
This event will showcase concrete examples of successful partnerships in this area, as well as encourage additional support for existing collaborations and stimulate new alliances to address possible gaps. It will feature presentations of various challenges faced and efforts advanced by the SIDS governments, CSO and local communities, as well as UN agencies in the Pacific and the Caribbean[1]. It will also share an update on the progress achieved in the development of regional frameworks and cooperation efforts on climate mobility. By convening representatives from national governments, inter-governmental entities, and potentially civil society, youth, private sector and/or local community representatives from SIDS joining in virtually, the event aims to serve as a platform for an open, multi-stakeholder dialogue to share ‘voices from the ground’ and exchange experiences and learnings from diverse perspectives.
[1] Pacific Climate Change Migration and Human Security programme (PCCM-HS) is led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP); and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD); Eastern Caribbean Climate Migration and Human Security programme (ECCMHS) is led by IOM in partnership with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, the UN Resident Coordination Office, the PDD and the UNFCCC.
