Last month, SIPRI experts and researchers travelled to Brussels to participate in several events convened by the Swedish Permanent Representation to the European Union (EU) as part of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU. The trip was a significant opportunity to engage in bilateral discussion with diplomats, policymakers, researchers and practitioners from both the climate change and security sectors.
One of the highlights was a panel discussion moderated by Dr Florian Krampe, Director of SIPRI’s Climate Change and Risk Programme, on the topic ‘Navigating the Nexus of Climate, the Environment, Peace and Security: Towards an Effective EU Response’. The panel explored how the EU can respond effectively to the interlinked crises driven by climate change and security issues. Hafsa Maalim, SIPRI Associate Senior Researcher, featured as one of the panellists.
SIPRI research was also presented at an informal discussion on climate and security in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). During the event, Claire McAllister, Project Lead for SIPRI’s Environment of Peace initiative, gave a presentation on environment and security in MENA, while Shivan Fazil, Researcher in SIPRI’s Middle East and North Africa Programme, presented a case study on Iraq. Dr Florian Krampe provided closing reflections. Representatives from relevant working parties of the Council of the EU, the European External Action Service and the European Commission were in attendance.
Overall, the trip provided valuable opportunities for SIPRI to collaborate and share knowledge on some of the most pressing issues faced by Europe and the world today.