Ministers from all over the world prepare for Climate Summit in Paris.

Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius have invited around 35 ministers from all regions of the world to participate in the sixth Petersberg Climate Dialogue from 17 to 19 May 2015. With the Dialogue Germany and France want to pave the way for a successful outcome at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) in Paris at the end of this year. Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President François Hollande will address the ministers on Tuesday morning.

The Dialogue begins on Monday morning with a discussion of the core elements of the planned agreement of Paris. Ministers will then go on to look at the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) which each country is to formulate and submit and consider mechanisms for enhancing the level of ambition. On Monday afternoon talks will focus on the role of climate finance and the form a set of rules anchored in the Paris agreement might take to ensure our efforts are comparable, binding and honest.

For the complete press release, please see Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety.

Dhanasree Jayaram, MAHE

It’s official: India has been elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for 2021-22. Previously, the country has adopted a cautionary approach towards climate security. While it may not significantly shift its positions, global realities may trigger more openness, with an eye on multilateralism, rule of law and fairness.

Climate Diplomacy
South America
Central America & Caribbean
Adriana Erthal Abdenur, Igarapé Institute

75 years ago, the UN was born. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the UN looks back at several important achievements, but much work on persisting challenges still lies ahead. Increased UN engagement in three areas can make the region more resilient to future challenges.

Water
Global Issues
Manon Levrey, EPLO

Conflicts connected to water-security are often related to climate change issues. However, the link between water-scarcity-related risks and security challenges is not as straightforward, direct and immediate as often perceived. The online workshop ‘Mobilising decision-makers on water scarcity-induced conflict risks: The Water, Peace and Security Partnership’, organised by the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO) and adelphi, looked into this complex relationship.

Conflict Transformation
Environment & Migration
Security
Sub-Saharan Africa
International Crisis Group (ICG)

Insecurity is plaguing north-western Nigeria, due to persistent herder-farmer tensions, rising crime and infiltration by Islamist militants. Federal and state authorities should focus on resolving conflict between agrarian and pastoralist communities, through dialogue and resource-sharing agreements, while also stepping up law enforcement.