In a compelling address during the High-Level Segment on “Climate Impact on Human Mobility: A Global Call for Solutions,” Hon. Beatrice Anywar Atim Odwong, the Minister of State for Environment in Uganda, urged global cooperation in addressing the pressing issue of climate-induced human mobility.
The event, hosted by the International Organization of Migration (IOM) as part of its 114th Council Meeting in Geneva, witnessed Hon. Anywar emphasizing Uganda’s vulnerability to the intersection of climate change and human displacement.
The East and Horn of Africa region, where Uganda is situated, faces the undeniable reality that climate change is a primary driver of human displacement. Hon. Anywar stressed the need for coordinated regional efforts to confront this challenge head-on.
She underscored the significance of the “Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment, and Climate Change,” a landmark accord endorsed by several African Member States in July 2022. The declaration serves as the inaugural regional framework aimed at addressing the complex relationship between climate change and human mobility.
Since its inception, the Kampala Ministerial Declaration has gained momentum, with increased interest and participation from Member States. The formal signing of the ‘Continental, Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration Environment and Climate Change’ during the Africa Climate Week and Summit in Nairobi in September 2023 marked a significant milestone.
Minister Anywar called on more Member States to actively join and contribute to this initiative, advocating for a collective response to the challenges posed by climate-induced migration across the continent. With the support of IOM, Uganda aims to unveil the continental framework at COP 28 in Dubai in December 2023.
Commending IOM for its pivotal role in responding to global crises and supporting the Kampala Declaration on Climate and Migration, Hon. Anywar highlighted Uganda’s open-door policy.
The country welcomes migrants and refugees, offering them shelter, support, and integration into local communities. She presented Uganda’s proactive efforts as a model for other Member States to emulate, calling for urgent action to address the climate change and human mobility nexus by mobilizing crucial funds for implementation.
In conclusion, Hon. Anywar expressed confidence that the outcomes of the High-Level Segment would provide an opportunity for global leaders to reconsider and reflect on the path to achieving sustainable development amid the challenges posed by climate change-induced migration.
This event, hosted by the Uganda Embassy to the Swiss Confederation and Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, signifies a crucial step towards fostering international collaboration to mitigate the impact of climate change on human mobility.
