Climate change is a rapidly growing driver of human mobility, interacting with demographic change, conflict and poverty in ways that undermine human safety and well-being, progress towards sustainable development, and peace. The adverse impacts of climate change are felt in every corner of the world, whether directly or indirectly, but the unfortunate reality is that it disproportionately affects those who contribute the least to it, particularly the most vulnerable segments of society who are increasingly forced to leave their homes, families, communities and cultures. Indeed, climate change is now a leading cause of human mobility. The urgency to take concrete steps and develop solutions for communities to move, to stay and for those already on the move cannot be understated.  Climate change is forcing millions to move within their affected countries. Up to 216 million could become internal climate migrants by 2050. With concrete actions now, this number could be reduced by 80%.

A Global Response to Climate Change

For the first time in history, Governments across the globe have taken decisive action to address this challenge and to identify the potential opportunities to leverage climate and environmental mobility towards sustainable development. This year, 2023 has seen the endorsement of three, historic regional and continental frameworks across the globe, supported by IOM and partners. 

Since 2019, IOM has led an interagency Pacific Climate Change, Migration and Human Security Programme (PCCMHS) comprising ILO, OHCHR, UNESCAP, the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). Through a highly consultative process, the first Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility was endorsed by the Pacific Island Leaders during the Fifty-Second (52nd) Pacific Islands Forum, which was held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands from 6 – 10 November 2023. In July 2022, Ministers from the East and Horn of Africa convened in Kampala, Uganda, for an Inter-Ministerial Conference on Migration, Environment and Climate Change (MECC). Eleven (11) Member States (MSs) from the East and Horn of Africa (EHoA) jointly developed and signed the Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment, and Climate Change (KDMECC). On 4^th September 2023, the continental expansion of KDMECC as a continental Addendum (KDMECC-AFRICA) was signed at the Ministerial ceremony during the Africa Climate Summit. Also in 2023, the Member States of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States endorsed a new Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment and Climate Change, which was launched at Latin American and Caribbean Climate Week.

This event will explore the three new, Regional Frameworks and allow for a cross-regional exchange of experiences and best practices. It will also allow the three regions to compare priorities, expectations and identify commonalities upon which future collaboration could be considered. Finally, the discussion hopes to explore entry points for global coordination and collaboration as the three Regional Frameworks move towards implementation and as new frameworks may potentially be developed in the coming year(s) or the existing ones may be expanded.

Please find more information and events on the COP28 page here.