15th Conference of the Parties 
 UNFCCC 

Side-Event
Climate Adaptation Continuum, Migration and Displacement:
Copenhagen and Beyond

16 December 2009

The International Organization for Migration, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations University together with the Norwegian Refugee Council, the Representative of the Secretary General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons and other key UN and non-UN humanitarian agencies concerned with different aspects of population movements have been working on addressing the growing challenge that climate change presents to humanity. At the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen, the Heads of these Agencies and the delegates discussed the state-of-the-art understanding of climate adaptation, migration and displacement and highlight the existing and emerging challenges in policy, research and practice in this area. They also shared their vision on the way forward and the role of the UNFCCC framework.

Side-event Flyer


Speakers

  • Mr. William Lacy Swing, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (Speaking points)
  • Prof. Finn Tarp, Director of United Nations University - World Institute for Development Economics Research on behalf of Prof. Konrad Osterwalder, Rector of the United Nations University (Presentation)
  • Mr. Antonio Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Statement)
  • Prof. Walter Kälin, Representative of the UN Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons (Statement)
  • Mr. Rolf Vestvik, Director of the Advocacy of the Norwegian Refugee Council on behalf of Ms. Elisabeth Rasmusson, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (Statement)

Discussion

Dr. Mizan Khan, a delegate of Bangladesh, provided comments and reactions to the issues raised by the panellists. This was followed by an open discussion with Parties and side-event participants on ways to address the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities of climate-related population movements in the context of the expected outcome of the Climate Conference in Copenhagen as well as the roles of different stakeholders, including the humanitarian and climate change communities.