No Escape: On the Frontlines of Climate Change, Conflict and Displacement

15 November 2024

14.15-15.15 AZT

ODI Climate Peace & Transboundary Resilience Pavilion

This side event will examine the interplay between climate change, conflict, and displacement, with a focus on the heightened vulnerabilities of displaced populations in fragile, and conflict-affected settings. Drawing on the key findings of the joint report ‘’No escape: On the Frontlines of Climate Change, Conflict and Displacement’’ published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in partnership with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), IMPACT Initiatives, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), refugee-led organisations and others, this side event will provide concrete examples and scientific evidence of how these issues intersect. An in-depth panel discussion, will highlight trends, best practices, recommendations, and calls to action presented in the report. It will present firsthand experiences from community representatives and emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive, people-centered solutions to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacities, as well as to scale up accessible, affordable, and available climate finance for frontline communities.

Read the report

Welcoming remarks

Mr. Andrew Harper, Special Advisor on Climate Action, UNHCR

Opening remarks

Ms. Marta Costanzo Youth, Acting Assistant Secretary, US Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (TBC),

Ms. Dorong Grace Nailo Mayo, Executive Director, Root of Generations

Panel discussion

Ms. Alexandra Bilak, Director, IDMC

Ms. Jana Birner, Associate Partnerships Officer in the Office of the Special Advisor on Climate Action, UNHCR

Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director, CGIAR 

Mr. Jeremy Wetterwald, Senior Advisor on Climate, Environment and Migration, IMPACT Initiatives

Moderator: Dr. Kira Vinke, Head of Centre for Climate and Foreign Policy, DGAP

Final remarks: Mr. Robert Piper, Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement to the UN Secretary-General

Closing remarks

Mr. Andrew Harper, ​​​​​​​Special Advisor on Climate Action, UNHCR