Statement delivered by H.E. Jérôme Bonnafont, Permanent Representative of France and Security Council President, on behalf of the Security Council members that have joined the Joint Pledges on Climate, Peace and Security - Great Lakes Region

We, the Security Council members that have joined the Joint Pledges on Climate, Peace and Security—Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and my own country, France—come together today to underline the intricate relationships between climate change, peace, and security in the Great Lakes Region.

This region has been deeply affected instability and conflict, and the upcoming briefing will address its most immediate dimensions linked to the current crisis in the Eastern DRC. In this light, we reaffirm the utmost need for all parties to fully implement Resolution 2773 with the urgent objective of reaching an effective and lasting cessation of hostilities.

The recurrence of conflict in the Great Lakes also takes place in a context characterized by food and water insecurity, environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity and resource exploitation. Climate change acts as a ‘risk multiplier’ that demands immediate and robust strategies. It can increase competition over natural resources, deepen social inequalities, and drive forced displacement, especially among vulnerable groups. Climate change can create or deepen existing fault lines between and within states and societies in specific contexts. 

Today, we affirm three crucial messages:

First, we must prioritize building resilient local systems that manage conflicts over land, water, and natural resources. National authorities, in conjunction with the international community and the UN system, must scale up community-driven initiatives that promote sustainable practices. Integrating climate risks into conflict resolution and peacebuilding strategies is vital, as it fosters cooperation and can contribute to address the root causes of instability in the region. The United Nations Climate Security Mechanism aims to address the interlinkages between climate, peace and security on the ground through specific advisors.

Second, we strongly emphasize the need for robust partnerships among civil society, local stakeholders, and policymakers. It is essential to ensure that the voices of communities, especially those of women, youth and marginalized groups are included in climate, peace, and security dialogues.  Multi-stakeholder action, including with women- and youth-led organizations are critical in these efforts, often serving at the forefront in humanitarian responses, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding initiatives. Their active participation can enhance resilience and foster social cohesion and reconciliation between communities.

Third, we call upon the international community to support regional authorities in the implementation of effective conflict-sensitive climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. This includes enhancing early warning systems, disaster risk reduction measures, and comprehensive climate-responsive planning.  We call on member States of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and regional economic communities to jointly address the intertwined effects of climate change and conflict collaboratively in order to achieve lasting peace and lay the foundation of a shared prosperity in the region.

We look forward to continuing our cooperation with the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes and to work towards addressing the growing impacts of climate change on international peace and security.