The African Union Commission, with support from the United Nations Office to the African Union, and Australia as incoming COP31 Presidency of Negotiations, today convened a Roundtable Dialogue on Climate, Peace and Security (CPS) in Africa at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The dialogue brought together representatives from the African Union, AU Member States, United Nations entities and Regional Economic Communities to exchange views and strengthen collaboration on climate-related security risks and responses across the continent.
The roundtable took place against a backdrop of growing momentum across Africa to elevate climate, peace and security as a strategic continental priority. While African States contribute the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, they continue to bear a disproportionate share of the adverse impacts of climate change, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. In these settings, climate change acts as a “risk multiplier”, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities, intensifying competition over natural resources, deepening inequalities, and contributing to displacement.
