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International Conference in Seoul: Climate Security in the Asia-Pacific Region

21 March 2013 - 22 March 2013
Seoul, Republic of Korea

The Republic of Korea organised a third international conference on climate security, from 21 – 22 March 2013. Building on the conclusions of the previous conferences in Berlin ('Climate Diplomacy in Perspective: From Early Warning to Early Action') and London ('A Climate and Resource Security Dialogue for the 21st Century') about the importance of regional cooperation, the focus was on the Asia-Pacific region.

Recognising that Asia-Pacific is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, the conference focused on the three areas which present the most significant challenges to the region: coastal stability, water security and climate-induced migration. To incorporate the security perspective across government climate policies, the conference recommended establishing a regional mechanism or partnership comprising all stakeholders, along with a regional information platform to improve data sharing. Participants stressed the importance of a whole-of-society response to the challenges of climate security, calling for bottom-up engagement of local communities and civil society.

Key speakers included Cho Tae-Yul, Vice Minister of the Foreign Ministry, Republic of Korea; Achim Steiner, Executive Director, UNEP; Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC; and Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary, UNESCAP.

The conference brochure is available.

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