UN, IGAD unite to boost regional climate resilience
In the face of intensifying climate challenges and escalating conflicts in Eastern Africa, the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) are taking decisive steps to build resilience and safeguard regional security.
At the forefront of this collaborative effort is the IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC), an institution committed to addressing the intertwined issues of climate, peace, and security.
The recent visit by United Nations Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Ms. Hanna Tetteh, to ICPAC underscores the urgency of this mission and highlights the vital role of data-driven solutions in mitigating climate-induced risks.
A call for regional collaboration
Ms. Hanna Tetteh’s visit to ICPAC emphasized the importance of unified regional action in tackling climate security. With Eastern Africa facing a growing number of climate-related threats—ranging from droughts to floods—the need for coordinated, proactive solutions is greater than ever. “Climate change is a critical driver of conflict in the Horn of Africa,” Ms. Tetteh noted during her visit.
“Our partnership with world-class institutions such as ICPAC is essential in strengthening early warning systems that provide real-time data. These systems are key in saving lives and livelihoods by enabling communities to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate-related crises before they escalate.”
This renewed partnership between the UN and IGAD aims to strengthen climate resilience and reduce the potential for conflict, which is increasingly fueled by competition over scarce resources and the impact of natural hazards.
By leveraging ICPAC’s advanced climate services and early warning capabilities, regional institutions are better equipped to predict and respond to the complex dynamics of climate-related conflicts.
ICPAC: A nerve centre of climate services
At the heart of this collaboration is ICPAC’s cutting-edge ability to forecast climate-related risks and provide early warnings. With a focus on real-time data and predictive analytics, ICPAC plays a crucial role in informing regional peacebuilding efforts.
According to Dr. Abdi Fidar, Officer-in-Charge at ICPAC, “Our early warning systems play a key role in addressing the impacts of climate change on peace and security in the region. Today’s visit by Ms. Tetteh reaffirms our shared commitment to using data-driven solutions to build resilience and promote long-term stability.”
The services offered by ICPAC are indispensable in a region where the effects of climate change are being felt more acutely. Eastern Africa, with its diverse ecosystems and economies heavily reliant on agriculture and natural resources, is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate variability.
The accurate, timely climate data provided by ICPAC is helping communities better prepare for natural hazards, reducing the potential for loss of life, displacement, and conflict over resources.
Read also: Specter of climate change pushes 55 million to hunger on the Horn of Africa
The nexus of climate and security
Ms. Tetteh’s visit to ICPAC also highlighted the critical connection between climate resilience and conflict prevention. In Eastern Africa, where climate change acts as a catalyst for resource scarcity, displacement, and tension between communities, addressing the climate-security nexus is essential.
The synergy between ICPAC and IGAD’s Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN) is transforming how the region responds to both climate risks and conflict scenarios.
By combining climate data with conflict monitoring, IGAD institutions are able to anticipate and mitigate the potential for climate-induced violence.
Natural hazards, such as droughts and floods, often lead to competition over limited resources, which can escalate into conflict if left unchecked. The collaboration between ICPAC and CEWARN enables a more comprehensive approach to conflict prevention, ensuring that both climate and security risks are addressed in tandem.
Advancing early warning systems for climate security
One of the key outcomes of this partnership is the advancement of early warning systems that integrate climate data with conflict analysis. These systems are vital not only for disaster preparedness but also for informing conflict prevention efforts across Eastern Africa.
By providing governments, regional bodies, and communities with timely information, ICPAC is empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions that can avert crises before they unfold.
As Ms. Tetteh remarked, “ICPAC’s ability to provide timely and accurate climate information has been instrumental in mitigating the impacts of climate-related disasters. These early warning systems not only support disaster preparedness but also inform conflict prevention efforts across the region.”
The development and expansion of these systems represent a critical step in addressing the dual challenges of climate change and conflict in the Horn of Africa.
Shared vision for a stable, resilient Eastern Africa
Ms. Tetteh’s visit to ICPAC marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to enhance climate resilience and peacebuilding in Eastern Africa. The collaboration between the United Nations and IGAD is transforming how the region responds to climate-related risks, with data-driven solutions at the core of these efforts.
Together, these institutions are charting a path toward a more stable, resilient future for Eastern Africa, where climate security and conflict prevention go hand in hand.
As the region grapples with the far-reaching consequences of climate change, partnerships like this one are essential for safeguarding lives and livelihoods. Through continued collaboration and the expansion of early warning systems, Eastern Africa is better positioned to navigate the complex challenges ahead, ensuring a more secure and prosperous future for all.
