Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa opens roundtable on climate change and refugees

Photo : Abu Dhabi Media Office

The UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, convened a roundtable aimed at addressing the critical intersections of climate change and displacement. The event focused on identifying policy gaps and exploring actionable solutions to the ongoing crises stemming from these challenges.

Her Highness Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, who serves as the President and CEO of UICCA, opened the roundtable. The event featured opening remarks from Khaled Khalifa, Senior Advisor and Regional Representative for UNHCR in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, along with Houssam Chahine, Chief of the Climate Financing Section at UNHCR.

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Attended by senior representatives from various sectors, including private organizations and humanitarian initiatives, the roundtable welcomed participants from Masdar, Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, and the International Renewable Energy Agency, among others. The discussion was moderated by journalist and business news anchor Maya Hojjeij.

The dialogue emphasized successful initiatives designed to bolster the adaptation and resilience of individuals forcibly displaced by climate change, particularly within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which includes countries like Yemen, Jordan, and Iraq. The participants addressed the specific challenges faced by both displaced populations and their host communities.

Sheikha Shamma highlighted the urgency of addressing climate displacement, stating, “As we confront the escalating challenges of climate change, addressing climate displacement is of paramount importance. Annually, climate disasters displace seven million people in the MENA region, and with temperatures in this area rising faster than global averages, these figures underscore the urgent need for innovative adaptation strategies and robust multi-stakeholder collaboration. By uniting our efforts, we can protect our most vulnerable communities, build resilience, and safeguard livelihoods for the future.”

Khaled Khalifa echoed these sentiments, noting the devastating impact of climate change on displaced individuals: “In recent years, millions of displaced people and families have been on the frontlines of the climate emergency. Hostile and extreme weather events, such as floods, drought, and resource scarcity, are driving displacement and exacerbating the suffering of those who have been forced to flee. This situation threatens their basic needs and livelihoods. International solidarity and collaborative efforts are needed more than ever to invest in sustainable solutions and renewable energy initiatives.”

In line with its protection mandate, UNHCR launched its Climate Resilience Fund earlier this year. This fund is dedicated to supporting a variety of initiatives that aim to protect forcibly displaced individuals fleeing climate-related crises or residing in climate hotspots, ensuring they have access to sustainable resources and are resilient to the impacts of climate change. The roundtable served as an important platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders committed to addressing these pressing global issues.