President of the UN General Assembly

H.E. Dennis Francis

at the High-Level Panel on Harnessing Climate Mobility for Adaptation & Resilience at COP28

1 December 2023

 

 

Heads of State and Government,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

We deeply appreciate your presence here this morning.

 

It is a pleasure to co-host this High-Level Panel with the Director-General of the International Organization for Migration, Amy Pope.

 

And it is a particular honour to welcome you – the Climate Mobility Champion Leaders – whose astute guidance and leadership we all wholeheartedly value and appreciate.

 

Since the inception of my Presidency of the UN General Assembly, I have been adamant that we must remain focused on the climate crisis – particularly, to strengthen our efforts to prioritize those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Many of you here represent them.

 

That is why I have organized multiple high-level engagements on the existential threat posed by sea-level rise; and why I recently travelled to the Cook Islands for the Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting.

 

My message here today is simple and clear: We simply cannot continue to relegate those who have contributed the least to climate change to the vicissitudes of uncertainty, and the plight of indefinite anxiety.

 

To do so would be both immoral and impractical – with consequences reaching far beyond the fates of those immediately affected.

 

I firmly believe that we have a collective responsibility, to stand together – and to act now.

 

 

Excellencies,

 

We all know the facts: By 2050, estimates show that over 200 million people could be forced to leave their homes due to the adverse impacts of climate change.

 

Homes are becoming uninhabitable. Millions are on the constant move.

 

Let me be clear: it would be tragically ill-informed and short-sighted for any nation, community, or group to assume that this displacement is, quote, “someone else’s problem”.

 

These seeds of insecurity and instability were sown at our own initiative or lack thereof – with far reaching global ramifications.

 

Let us therefore together own this challenge – by demonstrating a greater sense of collective responsibility, coupled with collective action.

 

Let us stand in unity and solidarity.

 

To the Climate Mobility Champions and world leaders here present today, I look to you to guide us – by sharing your experiences, your thoughts, and your expectations.

 

Beyond that, you are our torchbearers and must mobilize the crucial political leadership needed to heighten the moral imperative and to drive forward transformative solutions that can rally the world.

 

We look to you to answer the question: What should these solutions include?

In my view, the solutions must address the loss and damage resulting from climate change, particularly in developing countries – which, not by their volunteered choice, lack adequate capacity and resources to respond effectively.

 

I welcome the decision of the Governments of the UAE and Germany to lead the way in capitalization of the Fund for Loss and Damage, to the tune of $100 million each. Developing countries deserve no less. I make the plea, let us continue to build on this success, let this be just the beginning.

 

The solutions must also prioritize women and girls, young people, persons living with disabilities, and indigenous peoples – as an integral part of the social safety net that offers protection to those at highest risk.

 

The solutions must drive accelerated action across the spectrum of mitigation and adaptation – and, importantly, enable the timely and adequate mobilization of resources for climate finance.

 

Finally, the solutions must recognize that climate impacts are already here, already severe, and already eroding decades of development gains – demanding that we shift the focus towards building resilience, taking risk-informed decisions and actions that place people at the very centre of all that we do.

 

Excellencies,

 

Let me conclude by recalling that you have all dealt with unique crises in your national contexts – in addressing current issues, while anticipating future climate mobility challenges.

 

I advise that you draw on these experiences in your discussions today.

 

I urge you to propose integrated and action-oriented solutions, that will guide other participants – to help them to re-imagine local, national, and regional policies and policy frameworks that anticipate risks, prioritize investments, and enable adaptive climate mobility; while embracing a people-first strategy.

 

In this regard, I ask you to ponder the following questions:

–             What can be done to effectively roll out early warning systems and climate-related data and information services?

–             How can we tap into the rich traditional and indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage of vulnerable communities in developing robust response strategies?

–             How can we channel climate finance towards potential climate mobility hot spots in ways that better support the adaptation of skills and livelihoods?

 

My co-host and I very much look forward to an insightful discussion; and I thank you again for joining us today.

 

I thank you.