Jérôme TorossianCanadian Delegate

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Environmental Migration and Future Displacement

March 16, 2017

Mr. President, fellow delegates, and friends.

Canada believes that the two main issues regarding today’s topic are first the effects of climate change and natural disasters as well as adaptation strategies.

Currently, there are 59.5 million people that are living in “climate change hotspots”, and since 2008, 23 million individuals were forced to migrate due to the impacts of droughts, flooding and other calamities. Furthermore, the effects of natural disasters is a risk amplifier for peace and security as it increase the competition over scarce natural resources, and which often lead to violence and further displacement. This was the case in places like Syria or Somalia

In terms of adaptation strategies, we need to act as the economics and social effects of natural disasters often occurs in regions with poor mitigation and adaptation strategies. We need to raise awareness concerning the link between the environment and human displacement so to respond collectively and effectively to this issue. Moreover, we need to enforce natural resource management programs and ecosystem management so to increase the livelihoods of migrants and displaced people. We have to ensure access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all.

We believe that the effects of climate change and natural disasters is a shared global problem which must be addressed in an integrated way so to increase security, reduce poverty and achieve inclusive sustainable development. We committed to grant $2.65 billion to assist developing nations take action against climate change, from poverty eradication through advancements in health, education, water supply and industrialization. Canada has a lot to offer. We have world-class expertise on water management issues and in climate risk insurance, which we could share throughout the world. We believe that climate-related migration can be reduced through effective adaptation, disaster risk reduction and development planning. Canada views investments in resilience as not only to be able to help nations withstand natural disasters, but also to assist them quicker when tragedies do occur. That is the way for developed countries to engage fragile states on adapting to climate change now, before they fall into chaos and become failed states.

Thank you.