UN: Climate, peace, security need integrated action

Complex challenges such as climate, peace, and security demand more than fragmented action, Matti Lehtonen, Advisor at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), said at the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Olaylar informs.

Lehtonen explained the rationale behind the Climate Security Mechanism (CSM): "We still need specialized expertise, but CSM was created because we saw the need for a space to find more integrated solutions to these complex questions. Many UN agencies, funds, and programs have already integrated climate, peace, and security into their work, which is a positive development. These issues are increasingly reflected in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), as well as in national and regional policies."

He stressed the importance of focusing on the urban dimension of climate and security: "Although the UN system mainly focuses on national priorities, urban environments often remain overlooked compared to agriculture and ecosystem-based livelihoods. Yet urbanization and climate change create new risks, especially in the context of peace and security. Cities are crucial because they are spaces of innovation and where positive practices emerge. Our goal is to better understand how climate, peace, and security risks and opportunities take shape in urban settings, and to build on existing experiences to expand them."