SANSaC Male’ Statement on Climate Change and Security

The South Asia Network of Climate Change and Security, having met in Male’ on the 1st of December 2011 to discuss opportunities and challenges related to climate change and security in South Asia, offer the following views to the Parties and Governments of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Acknowledging the heightened risk of political instability and conflict related to climate change;

Noting that the factors linking climate change to an increased potential for instability and conflict include water scarcity, accelerated land degradation, increased food insecurity and the management of climate funds;

Believing that enhancing trust, cooperation and coordination amongst key South Asian stakeholders on climate change related security issues can also be a step towards greater trust and cooperation on other conflict issues;

The South Asia Network for Climate Change and Security therefore:

1. Calls on governments to facilitate ‘decentralised water diplomacy’ that involves a broader group of stakeholders at local level, and particularly across the region.

2. Calls on governments and international institutions to better understand the dynamics and diverse causal factors of climate related migration, to promote timely, peace positive governance of rural-urban and trans-boundary migration.

3. Calls on governments to take leadership on improving rural and urban food security, in particular to ensure climate sensitive food production, equitable distribution and sustainable consumption.

Members:
1. Major General Muniruzzaman, President, Bangladesh Institute for Peace and Security Studies.
2. Mr. Ahmed Shafeeq Moosa, President’s Envoy for Science and Technology, Government of the Maldives.
3. Dr. Bishnu Upreti, South Asia Regional Coordinator, National Centre for Competence in Research, Nepal.
4. Dr. Moazzam Ali Khan, Director, Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
5. Ms. Lydia Powell, Head, Centre for Resources Management, Observer Research Foundation, India.
6. Mr. Johann Rebert, Country Representative, International Alert, Sri Lanka.
7. Dr. Markus Mayer, South Asia Regional Programme Manager, International Alert.