缅北禁地

Excellencies,  

Distinguished Colleagues,   

I am very pleased to once again partner with the International Organization for Migration, the Governments of Tajikistan, Moldova and Uganda, and the University of Vienna on this important event. The Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are on the frontline of climate change. They suffer heavy and disproportionate loss of life and livelihoods from extreme weather events and other natural hazards. Population displacement from climate change in all its forms is more likely to affect them. To provide an example, according to 2023 data from the Sendai Framework Monitor, mortalities between 2012 and 2021 have been 1.24 in reporting LDCs, 1.85 in LLDCs, and 2.80 in SIDS - all significantly higher than the global average of 0.84 per 100,000. In relation to economic losses, LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS accounted for 11.3 per cent of reported economic losses, despite forming only 2.2 per cent of total GDP of reporting countries. National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) play a central role in identifying adaptation needs, as well as developing and implementing strategies and programmes to address those needs. However, progress in the preparation of NAPs has been far too slow. To date, only 22 of the 46 least developed countries, 10 of the 32 landlocked developing countries LLDCs, and 11 of the 39 small island developing states have formally submitted their national adaptation plans, although activities related to the different stages in NAP preparation are underway in many more. Increased and expedited financial and technical support is needed to ensure that the most vulnerable countries have NAPs in place as soon as possible, as well as project pipelines to implement their adaptation priorities. 

The urgency is clear: this year was another record-breaking one for temperatures, heat, rainfall, and wildfires. As the impacts of climate change continue to worsen, the need increases for human mobility to be part of adaptation strategies, especially in the world’s most vulnerable countries. Planned displacement and evacuation have a role to play in overall adaptation strategies and can help mitigate loss of lives and livelihoods. However, policies must be designed with careful consideration for the destination and origin communities, and must be developed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders. The rights and needs of displaced people must be front and center, as well as an understanding of the benefits they bring to their host communities and countries. There is an important role for policy guidance on how to reflect human mobility in National Adaptation Plans. The experience of countries that are already doing so will be invaluable. I believe that today’s event will take us one step closer to achieving our goal. 

As I conclude, I once again thank the organizing partners of this event. I wish you all fruitful discussions.  

I thank you.