Recently, SIPRI’s work on climate-related security risks in West Africa was presented and discussed at a high-level conference in Abuja, Nigeria. The conference was held on 13 September and hosted by SIPRI’s partner, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Nigeria. The conference focused on the report, ‘Climate Change and Security in West Africa’.
The event brought together experts, researchers, civil society actors and representatives from bodies such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Also in attendance were members of the West Africa Climate Security Working Group: an expert group that developed analysis and recommendations on climate-related security risks during a series of meetings in 2021 and 2022. The working group and its report were supported by research produced by SIPRI, FES’s Peace and Security Centre of Competence Sub-Saharan Africa and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs.
About SIPRI’s work on Climate-related Security Risks in West Africa
Climate change is rapidly affecting West Africa. The region faces faster-than-average climate change, which compounds existing political tensions and conflicts. These changes threaten natural resources, biodiversity and agriculture, increasing human security risks. In the next 10–20 years, significant temperature and precipitation shifts are expected, along with the spread of violent conflicts across borders.
In light of this, SIPRI and its partners, organized a series of meetings for West African experts, researchers and civil society organizations from November 2021 to November 2022. The meetings resulted in a report centred on climate-related security risks in West Africa, responses to these risks and recommendations for action to remedy them. The research findings from the report were previously presented in Brussels and Stockholm. A video series on this topic was also produced by SIPRI. The video series is available on SIPRI’s YouTube channel and captures the thoughts of leading experts on climate-related security risks in West Africa.
Click here to read more about the report.
Click here to access SIPRI’s playlist on climate change and security in West Africa.
Click here to read more about SIPRI’s work on climate change and security.