The COP28 Presidency and the Munich Security Conference (MSC) have announced a strategic partnership to highlight and bolster efforts to address the interlinked challenges of climate change, peace, and security at, and ahead of the 28^th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which will take place in the United Arab Emirates in November and December.

Both entities will collaborate and leverage their expertise and networks in the lead up to COP28 to increase awareness of the compounding effects of climate change on peace and security.

“Climate change is already having a destabilizing effect on communities around the globe with impacts such as rising sea levels and food and water scarcity driving displacement, resource competition, and disenfranchisement,” said Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, Director General and Special Representative of COP28.

“We are proud to partner with the Munich Security Conference to institutionalize relief, recovery, and peace in the COP process and advance investments and policies that can empower communities in fragile settings,” he continued.

Ambassador Christoph Heusgen, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference said, “The effects of climate change transcend continents, borders, and societies. Their dire consequences, including in the field of international security, call for cooperation amongst consequences, including in the field of international security, call for cooperation amongst all actors. In accordance with its mandate, the MSC seeks to offer a platform for some of all actors. In accordance with its mandate, the MSC seeks to offer a platform for some of the uncomfortable debates needed in the search for solutions.” the uncomfortable debates needed in the search for solutions.”

The MSC is the world's leading forum for the discussion of international security policy. Since its establishment in 1963, it has brought together heads of state, policymakers, and experts from around the world to discuss current and future security challenges, including climate security.

“Building on previous activities at COP26 in Glasgow, COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh and at the Munich Security Conference 2023, the MSC and the COP28 Presidency aim to use their convening power to bring together decision makers and distinguished experts to address challenges on the climate security agenda,” said Heusgen.

At COP28, the partners will convene key members of the climate and global peace and security community to advance investments and policies that build resilience and prevent further instability. They will notably collaborate on the first ever ‘Relief, Recovery, and Peace Day’ at a COP, which brings new visibility to climate solutions in crisis affected settings.

Held at the start of COP28, this special day will put a human face on climate change through the lens of humanitarian relief, disaster risk reduction, reconstruction, and peace. It will draw attention to the experience of people in areas affected by multiple emergencies and the barriers they face in accessing finance and climate action. This not only limits their opportunities to adapt, it also impedes the opportunity for climate action to contribute to sustaining peace.

COP28 UAE will be the most significant multilateral event the UAE has ever hosted. It will lead the world's response to the Global Stocktake (GST) and reignite momentum to keep the target of 1.5C alive. The key conference will work to ensure transformative action and strong outcomes across the mitigation and adaptation work programs, including on the global goal on adaptation and doubling adaptation finance, the just transition work program, the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance, and the operationalization of the loss and damage fund and funding arrangements.