EVENT: “Addressing the Needs of Persons Moving in the Context of Disasters and Climate Change in the Global Compact for Migration”

March 29, 2018
Events

Background

The forced movement of people in response to the adverse effects of climate change, disasters linked to natural hazards and other environmental factors is a reality, as recognized by the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants.

The 3^rd round of the intergovernmental negotiations on the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) takes place from 3-6 April 2018 in New York. The current draft of the GCM contains important references to actionable commitments Member States may take to address drivers that compel people to leave their country of origin, including drivers linked to disasters and the adverse effects of climate change, and actions to address the protection needs of people moving across international borders in such contexts. The GCM offers a unique opportunity to address the challenges of human mobility in the context of disasters and the adverse effects of climate change. These references to drivers and actions, and their inclusion in the draft text, should be supported.

Platform on Disaster Displacement Advisory Committee Briefing

This briefing by Prof. Walter Kaelin, Envoy of the Chair of the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD) and by PDD Advisory Committee Members (including Center for International Earth Science Information Network – Columbia University, Refugees International, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration) provides an opportunity to discuss and better understand how to address the phenomenon of human mobility in the context of disasters and the adverse effects of climate change. It is also an opportunity to:

take stock of existing evidence and knowledge gaps on the link between disasters, environmental degradation, climate change and human mobility such as displacement, migration and planned relocation (CIESIN Colombia University);
discuss complementarities between the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) and on Refugees (GCR) regarding persons displaced in the context of disasters and the adverse effects of climate change (Refugees International and UNHCR);
better understand the opportunities and challenges of migration as an adaptation strategy to the adverse effects of climate change (IOM);
consider effective State practices in creating and expanding safe, orderly and regular pathways and admission policies for persons compelled to leave their countries in the context of disasters and the adverse effects of climate change ( Walter Kaelin, Envoy of the Chair of the PDD).

A representative of the Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York, current Chair of PDD, will provide welcome remarks

The meeting will be informal with short interventions on these topics followed by questions and answers.

Light refreshments will be served.

Practical Details

Place and time: Wednesday, 4 April 2018, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the United Nations, Diplomat Center (4th Floor), 820 2nd Avenue, between 43rd and 44th Street, NY 10017].

Registration: Please confirm participation to Mr. Erick Mutshayani at ErickM@unops.org and info@disasterdisplacement.org no later than Tuesday 3 April 2018 5.00 pm CET.

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About the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD):

PDD was launched in 2016. Its objective is to follow-up on the Nansen Initiative and to support States and other stakeholders in implementing the recommendations of the Agenda for the Protection of Cross-Border Displaced Persons in the Context of Disasters and Climate Change (Protection Agenda), which was endorsed by more than 100 States in October 2015.

PDD is a state-led initiative, currently chaired by Bangladesh, with France as Vice-Chair. Overall leadership of the Platform and guidance is provided by the Steering Committee, currently comprised of 17 States, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Fiji, France, Germany, Kenya, Madagascar, the Maldives, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, the Philippines, Senegal and Switzerland, and the European Union.

More than 100 international, regional and other organizations, civil society representatives, academics and experts from the areas of climate change action, Disaster Risk Reduction, migration, refugees, humanitarian assistance and Human Rights form the PDD’s Advisory Committee.

PDD Key Messages to inform the GCM process can be accessed here: GCM messages

Download the Envoy’s presentation here

Download the civil society event flyer