UAE: Missions should monitor climate to reduce insecurity

UAE representative to the UN Abdullah Al Suwaidi has called for the expansion of political missions to include monitoring climate risks that destabilise security, during a UN General Assembly session.

Security concerns linked to climate change include impacts on food, water and energy supplies, increased competition over natural resources, loss of livelihoods, climate-related disasters, and forced migration and displacement.

“In light of the major challenges facing special political missions in implementing their mandates, and the effects of dangerous security conditions and the repercussions of climate change that have cast their shadows on the conditions of civilians in conflict zones, we stress the need to expand the mandate of these special political missions to include monitoring climate risks and environmental changes that increase the fragility of security conditions and destabilize them, and to enhance their role in providing advisory support to affected countries to help them build their national capacities to adapt and withstand these challenges,” Mr. Al Suwaidi said.

The statement came at the 4th Un General Assembly Committee meeting on the comprehensive review of Special Political Missions.

The representative also called to strengthen the role of these political missions in mediation initiatives and diplomatic and political efforts to bring the positions of the conflicting parties closer together in order to reach comprehensive political settlements.

“We also stress the importance of the request contained in the draft resolution submitted under this item to hold regular, comprehensive and interactive dialogues on general policies relating to special political missions, and the need to ensure broad participation of Member States,” he added.

He commended the role the of political missions in post-conflict phases in order to consolidate gains and support efforts for lasting peace.