On 9 October, two SIPRI experts briefed members of the German parliament on climate-related security risks.
Ongoing SIPRI research is focused on the multitude of crises facing the Sahel region. Dr Simone Bunse, Senior Researcher in SIPRI’s Food, Peace and Security Programme, explained how food insecurity, climate change and violent conflict interact in the Sahel. Dr Bunse also explored possible solutions to the challenges arising from these interactions.
While the Sahel region encounters the consequences of climate change, the Himalayan region is facing its own set of climate-induced challenges. Dr Florian Krampe, SIPRI Director of Studies, Peace and Development, discussed these developments. He focused on the risk of geopolitical tensions linked to the uncertain future of two treaties: the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan and the 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty between India and Bangladesh. The region faces serious security implications and a risk of internal instability due to inadequate disaster relief mechanisms. Dr Krampe stressed the importance of supporting regional cooperation, promoting climate adaptation and strengthening national disaster responses to mitigate destabilization in the region.
About SIPRI’s work on peace and development
SIPRI looks at the long-term causes of insecurity to understand how societies identify and navigate paths to sustainable peace. Within this area, SIPRI’s work on food, peace and security studies the intersection between food security, conflict and peace, focusing in particular on the role of humanitarian, development and peacebuilding actors as well as donors in breaking the vicious cycle between food security and violent conflict. A key research focus has been how integrated multi-sectoral approaches to transforming food systems and food security interventions can build resilience, strengthen social cohesion and communities’ agency, enhance stability and the prospects for peace.
Click here to read more about the SIPRI’s work on peace and development.