Navigating climate security and geopolitical dynamics in Asia-Pacific: challenges, knowledge gaps, and future trajectories
When: 9 October 2024 | 09:00-12:00
Format: Roundtable discussion
Venue: adelphi
Hosted by: adelphi and Toda Peace Institute
As the world increasingly grapples with the security implications of climate change, the Asia-Pacific region remains a critical yet under-explored area within the global climate security discourse. The region experiences, on average, six natural disasters a year - twice as many as developing countries in Latin America, and roughly three times as many as in sub-Saharan Africa. But it is not only the high exposure to extreme natural events which threatens the Asia-Pacific region. Climate-induced security risks in the region extend far beyond worsening poverty, escalating risks to public health, forced migration, or the erosion of social cohesion. These local vulnerabilities are not isolated events but are deeply intertwined with broader geostrategic issues as the region becomes a focal point for global power competition.
The increasing geopolitical significance of the Asia-Pacific, coupled with its exposure to climate impacts, raises the question: how can local climate security risks be reconciled with national security priorities and regional/geopolitical security approaches? And further, how can cultural security be promoted in support of this reconciliation? Addressing climate change in this region requires understanding of the realities on the ground, as well as of the geopolitical forces at play at the regional level. Only by connecting these local experiences to regional power play, can effective, resilient responses be developed that balance immediate human security needs with long-term geostrategic stability.
Moderation:
- Janani Vivekananda, Head of Programme Climate Diplomacy and Security, adelphi
- Emma Whitaker, Senior Advisor, adelphi
This side-event is by invitation only.
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