Climate Security in the Indo-Pacific: A Conversation with Pacific Island Ambassadors

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Embassies of Australia and New Zealand hosted a conversation with Ambassadors to the United Nations and United States from the Pacific Island nations. The panel discussion reflects on recent developments in Pacific Island nations with a focus on climate security and its challenges within the Indo-Pacific.



The Carnegie Endowment advances international peace by leveraging its global network to shape debates and provide decisionmakers with independent insights and innovative ideas on the most consequential global threats and opportunities.



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🎯 Key points for quick navigation:

🏝️ Island nations in the Pacific face severe climate challenges like sea level rise, impacting livelihoods and infrastructure.
🌍 Climate change is viewed as an existential threat by Pacific leaders, linking directly to national security concerns.
🚨 The intersection of climate change and national security is increasingly recognized globally, including within the UN discussions.
💡 Initiatives like the Blue Pacific Strategy highlight regional efforts to address climate security and adaptation.
🌊 Small island states advocate for metrics beyond GDP to assess vulnerability and secure international support.
🌀 Extreme weather events exacerbate economic vulnerabilities and disrupt social stability in Pacific island nations.
💬 Advocacy efforts aim to elevate climate insecurity as a key issue in global diplomacy and peacekeeping.
🛡️ Infrastructure resilience and community relocation emerge as critical responses to climate-induced threats in the Pacific.
🏝️ Small island nations face challenges relocating populations due to climate impacts, potentially triggering conflicts if not managed well.
⚖️ There's a push for reforming the UN Security Council to better address climate security, as current structures are seen as outdated.
🌍 Ambassadors advocate for elevating climate issues within the UN Security Council, highlighting challenges like Russia's veto on climate-related resolutions.
🛡️ Calls for establishing a new council for non-military issues could provide a platform to address climate change without veto constraints.
🌱 Ambassadors stress urgency in international responses to climate change, including accessing funds for adaptation and resilience.
🤝 Proposals include appointing a special envoy on climate to the Security Council to enhance focus and action on climate security issues.
🚫 Current UN systems face criticism for not adequately addressing emerging global challenges like climate change impacts on security.
🌊 Plastic pollution in oceans is a pressing concern for Pacific Island nations, impacting marine resources crucial for their economies and sustenance.
🌏 Emphasis on aligning strategic documents: Ambassadors stress the importance of linking existing Pacific strategic frameworks like the Indo-Pacific strategy with newer challenges such as climate change.
🔄 Need for innovation and reinvention: There's a call for governments and societies to innovate and reform in response to evolving geopolitical dynamics and digital age opportunities.
🤝 Collaboration for SDGs: Achieving sustainable development goals requires strong partnerships across governments, private sectors, and NGOs, as highlighted by the ambassadors.
🌱 Integration of digital education: Digitalization and education are seen as crucial for capitalizing on strengths and opportunities in the Pacific region.
🌊 Addressing climate as a new threat: Climate change is identified as a significant new challenge requiring innovative approaches and alignment of strategies.
🔗 Importance of geopolitical alignment: Geopolitical shifts in the Pacific region necessitate aligned efforts and strategies to address emerging threats effectively.
📈 Role of private sector and NGOs: Engagement with private sectors and NGOs is essential for effective governance and achieving sustainable development goals in the Pacific.
🌐 Digital age opportunities: Leveraging digital technologies is crucial for growth and development across Pacific societies and economies.

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