The independent resource on global security

Programme Day 2—Tuesday, 24 May

Programme Day 2

09.00–10.00 CEST A 21st century approach for peace

International Commission on Inclusive Peace, Principles for Peace Initiative

The session explores the necessary shifts in approaches, policies and practices for peace to meet the imperatives of a new era. It builds on findings from a global participatory process and provides an opportunity to engage with and shape the emerging ‘Peacemakers’ Covenant’, which lays out the foundations and philosophy behind new principles for peace. Riddarsalen

09.00–10.00 CEST Research and dialogue on environmental security in the Gulf

European Council on Foreign Relations and Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

With discussions on the return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) underway, focus has come back to power dynamics and security in the Gulf region. However, talk of formulating a regional security architecture is premature, unrealistic and counterproductive at this stage. Although tempting, with initial progress in relationships between some countries, such an overarching approach could also prevent more viable discussions on potential agreements on converging interests and synergies of regional actors in the Gulf. Realistic and pragmatic approaches to dialogue need to be at the core. Dialogue that builds on, yet is separate from, the JPCOA needs to focus on the needs of regional players first and foremost, with external actors adding to, rather than leading, topics of discussion. Recent Iraqi-facilitated talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia demonstrate that discussions based on reciprocal arrangements between regional actors have a better chance of bringing actors to the table. This dialogue, grounded in research, is using environmental security as an entry point to move towards dialogue on broader security issues. Tornet

09.00–10.15 CEST Youth and peaceful transition to sustainability in the Middle East and North Africa

Swedish Dialogue Institute for the Middle East and North Africa

This session contributes to dialogue on how to support and leverage the role of youth and youth movements in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the broader Euro–Med region to peacefully transition to sustainable development. Specifically, it looks at current limitations for youth and youth movements in the region and potential for more involvement from young people. Fogelström

09.00–10.30 CEST Harnessing climate security opportunities in conflict-affected contexts: Experiences from United Nations field presences

Challenges Forum and Climate Security Mechanism 

This roundtable explores how United Nations peace operations and country teams can support regional, national and local partners in addressing the climate–security nexus and play a catalytic role for managing risks and building resilience. The role of women and youth in driving people-centred solutions will be at the core of the discussion. This session will enable representatives of UN field presences, civil society groups and other stakeholders to exchange experiences and lessons learned. Participants will discuss tools available for analysing climate-related security risks, identifying opportunities for cross-sectoral partnerships, and distilling good practices regarding climate-sensitive conflict prevention and sustaining peace efforts.Challenges Forum and Climate Security Mechanism 

Galleriet

10.15–10.45 CEST Fireside chat with Margot Wallström—Creating an environment of peace 

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute 

Participants join Margot Wallström, Sweden’s former foreign minister, for a conversation about the pathways policy and action can follow to create an environment of peace. In form of a fireside chat, the session explores how climate change and other environmental crises are transforming what it means to build and maintain peace.

Speaker

Margot Wallström, Former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden

The Fireside chat with Margot Wallström will be live streamed on SIPRI's YouTube Channel.

Mässhallen

11.00–12.30 CEST Turning brown to green: Ensuring a just and peaceful transition

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute and Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs 

The transitions needed to bring about a more sustainable world present both risks and opportunities for peace and security. They will impact at all levels—from the geopolitical to the local—and they need to be managed carefully to ensure a just and peaceful transition. Countries’ different energy choices come with different security implications. This panel explores the risks and opportunities for peace that arise from the transition to a greener and more sustainable future. It discusses the impacts of the transitions and how to balance economic and environmental concerns.

Speakers

Geoffrey D. Dabelko, Professor and Associate Dean, Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, Ohio University 

Jenny Ohlsson, State Secretary, International Development Cooperation, Sweden

Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of the State for International Cooperation, United Arab Emirates

Sofia Corradi, Civil Engineer, Specialist in Geoprocessing

Arunabha Ghosh, Chief Executive Officer, Council on Energy, Environment and Water, India 

Hindou Ibrahim, SDG Advocate and Co-Chair of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change, Chad 

This session will be live streamed on SIPRI's YouTube Channel.

Mässhallen

12.30–13.30 CEST The role of the media in an environment of peace

BBC Media Action and Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

In this online session journalists, activists and development communication specialists will discuss the critical role the media can play to protect human security in the new era of risk created by twin security and environmental crises. These include spreading knowledge about environmental risks and how to adapt to them; exposing hidden injustices and impacts; helping to build understanding between different communities affected by environmental issues—or the solutions. How can they best do this, and what obstacles do they face?

Online

13.40–14.00 CEST Spotlight presentation by Simon Marke Gran – Transformation in action: From weapon to art

IM Swedish Development Partner

More than 2000 people are injured by gunshots every day. Participants in this spotlight presentation learn how weapons can be transformed into art to contribute to peace.

Speaker

Simon Marke Gran, Business and Innovation Lead, Humanium Metal Frank To, Artist

This session will be live streamed on SIPRI's YouTube Channel.

Mässhallen

14.00–15.15 CEST Hard security perspectives on climate change: Real threat or hype?

Name of the organizing partner or institution forthcoming

Discussions around climate-related security risks are increasing across the full spectrum of policy communities. Military actors—from national armed forces, to alliances, as well as peace operations—have recognized climate change and the ensuing security risks, even though the solution to the problem aren’t solely, or even primarily, military.  

This plenary panel brings together hard security voices from different regions and backgrounds that have recognized climate change as relevant to defence. The panel will discuss the priorities for military actors in an age of climate change and a ‘new era of risk’, and how to persist in an environment where some consider climate change a hyped-up optional extra topic that can be ignored by security actors with no consequences.

Speakers

Carl Skau, Deputy Director General and Head of Department, Department for UN Policy, Conflict And Humanitarian Affairs, Swedish Ministry For Foreign Affairs

Kevin Hamilton, Director General, International Security Policy, Global Affairs Canada 

Melissa Dalton, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs, United States of America 

Major General Munir Muniruzzaman, President, Bengladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies 

Major General Lena Persson Herlitz, Head of the Policy and Plans Department, Swedish Armed Forces 

Mässhallen

15.45–16.45 CEST Human security in a turbulent world

United Nations Development Programme (Human Development Report Office)

Since 1994, when the concept of human security was first launched, new interconnected challenges from natural and social systems have been interacting with structural development challenges and technological progress. This creates new and overlapping human security threats, spanning borders and creating insecurity well beyond fragile settings. Informed by the ‘2022 Special Report on Human Security’, this panel will focus on policy and governance implications of compounding risks and threats that play out against the backdrop of the Anthropocene context. It shares innovative ideas on what institutional and policy innovation may be needed to avoid a trend whereby human development concurs with human insecurity post Covid-19. Riddarsalen

15.45–16.45 CEST Ecological risks and resilience in Africa

Axle International and Institute for Economics and Peace 

According to the ‘2021 Ecological Threat Report’, the Sahel–Horn of Africa belt and the Southern African belt are classified as ‘ecological hotspots’ susceptible to collapse. This session dives deeply into the ecological threats and risks that the continent faces, highlights the cyclical nature that these threats have with stability and peace, and discusses resilience building through systems-thinking approaches.

Galleriet

15.45–17.00 CEST Russia's war in Ukraine and its impact on the climate agenda

European Council on Foreign Relations

The implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine for the EU’s climate agenda remain, at this point an open question. On the one hand, the climate community has legitimate concerns that the current focus on the geographical energy transition – away from European dependence on Russia – is far overshadowing efforts towards the transition towards clean energy sources. In an environment of soaring energy prices in Europe, do political leaders have the option of making the upfront investment needed to rapidly scale renewable energy sources in Europe and climate financing to support this process in its close neighbourhood? Is there political support for a strong international aid response for partner countries hit hard by rising food prices and food insecurity?

The optimistic view, on the other hand would be to see the paradigm shift that occurred on February 24th as the geopolitical push that was needed for an accelerated transition away from fossil fuel dependence. This is the narrative that recent communications from the European Commission, including the March 8 Repower EU communication, and the forthcoming energy strategy expected on May 18th are taking. And on an international level, a strong engagement in supporting partner countries in tackling food insecurity, and scaling up their own energy transition could be an important play in the strategy to build a counter alliance to the Russia-China ‘no limits partnership’ and the growing network of abstinence from commenting on the Ukraine crisis around it.

Which scenario emerges will depend to a large extent to the national politics in the EU’s member states, and the leadership from capitals. This discussion will explore the constraints on this approach, how to overcome the challenges, and develop recommendations on how to drive this forward.

Fogelström

15.45–17.00 CEST Collaborative approaches to addressing regional climate security challenges in the Horn of Africa 

Life & Peace Institute

This session explores the roles of different stakeholders in the Horn of Africa in addressing regional climate change-induced human security challenges. It considers what is working well, barriers and opportunities for better practical, collaborative, integrated approaches. Online

15.45–17.00 CEST Peace in the age of green energy: Addressing the social impact of renewable energy transition

International Alert

This session looks at the conflict risks associated with the green energy transition by focusing on how the renewable energy sector supply chain and operations impact conflict dynamics in fragile and conflict-affected states. It brings together policymakers, peacebuilding practitioners and members of the business community to explore good practices and approaches that ensure the green energy transition sustains and builds peace. Online

15.45–17.15 CEST The implications of climate change and environmental degradation for peace mediation

CMI - Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation, United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute and United Nations Environment Programme

This session examines the implications of climate change and environmental degradation for the design and implementation of mediation processes. Starting from the rationale of integrating climate risks into mediation, participants will discuss the evolving nature of climate impacts in the context of peace processes. Participants will also explore the potential opportunities and resources associated with climate-sensitive approaches to mediation. This roundtable provides a platform for experts and practitioners to share experiences, identify good practices and explore concrete steps for incorporating climate considerations into the design and implementation of peace mediation processes.

Arkaden

17.15–18.30 CEST Integrating climate security in Somalia: The potential role of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

This roundtable on climate change and peacebuilding in Somalia convenes relevant actors to discuss how to integrate climate security into peacebuilding processes in Somalia and the potential role of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture. In line with the post-Glasgow Agenda, it speaks to the links between climate change, security, and peacebuilding.

Galleriet

 

17.15–18.30 CEST Rising food insecurity, reduced funding: How the triple nexus can tackle the hunger crisis in South Sudan

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

This session explores ways to enhance integrative financing and the localization of aid. It is designed for aid practitioners, donors and policymakers who seek to explore ways to make limited resources more efficient in the light of rising and protracted conflict and climate-induced food insecurity, humanitarian crises and decreasing financing to respond to the crises. Fogelström

17.15–18.30 CEST Inclusive land and natural resource governance: Strengthening security, justice and peace

Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, International Development Law Organization, International Peace Information Service and Search for Common Ground

This session will explore how inclusive land and natural resource governance can strengthen human security, people-centred justice and sustainable peace, in line with SDG16+ and the Sustainable Development Agenda more broadly. Audience members will have the opportunity to engage in multi-stakeholder dialogue inspired by examples from public policymakers, civil society, and the private sector, and to share and reflect on evidence-based policies and practices that advance environmental security and rule of law, and peace in the long-term. Online

17.45–18.45 CEST Durable peace: Bridging peace agreements and environmental and economic sustainability

Institute for State Effectiveness and Humanity United 

This roundtable examines the intersections between natural resource stewardship, climate-driven land degradation, and the role of extractive industries in the context of peace agreements. It is designed for peacebuilding practitioners, mediators, negotiators and climate activists who want to consider the trade-offs between economic development and the stewardship of public goods in peace implementation. It draws lessons on how to include these issues in sustainable peace agreements.

Online

17.45–19.00 CEST Colombian–Venezuelan border: An overlooked environmental crisis and its links with armed violence

Friedrich Ebert Stiftung in Colombia and International Crisis Group 

This session analyses the links between environmental crisis and violent conflict in the Colombian Catatumbo region (and its links with the Colombian–Venezuelan border). The discussion focuses on the crises’ impact on local communities, civil society responses and policy proposals for the transition towards an ecologically sustainable peacebuilding process. Online

 

18.00–19.00 CEST Light reception, children's choir performance

Join a light reception with a musical performance by Adolf Fredriks Music School

Conductor: Karin Bjurvald

Pianist: Ivetta Irkha

Mässhallen