International Workshop on Climate Security in Asia-Pacific

IGES organised the Asia Pacific Climate Security (APCS) International Workshop, together with our partner - the Institute for Future Initiatives of the University of Tokyo, and our collaborators from Sasakawa Peace Foundation. The two-day workshop gathered a wide range of knowledge on climate security from both researchers’ and practitioners’ points of view across the Asia-Pacific. APCS project members and 12 external speakers from around the world contributed their insights on their respective fields of expertise under the overarching theme of climate security.

The workshop was structured around two key objectives: on the one hand, to identify the climate-related security risks, challenges and opportunities that are unique to the local contexts in the Asia-Pacific region. On the other hand, to discuss possible solutions and potential policy applications of the knowledge being produced.

The first day of discussion focused on traditional and national security issues. During this session, different speakers highlighted the accelerating impact of climate change on human security, and how it is affecting disproportionately certain areas of the world; leading to population displacement and economic instability. In this context, the discussion pointed out that tensions over key resources and the growing geostrategic interest in the Arctic are pressing concerns that must be addressed in the frame of international security.

On the second day, non-traditional and human security concerns were the focus of the discussion. The keynote speaker's presentation on climate security in Southeast Asia incorporated a comprehensive approach that identified gaps in policy responses, evidencing a need to identify priorities. In this context, regional perspectives were shared, with three speakers sharing their insights on local climate security challenges in the Philippines, the Pacific and the Hindu Kush Himalaya region. The following session examined the policy implications to Japan and its potential to lead development assistance in the Asia-Pacific by integrating climate security considerations—particularly in addressing regional challenges such as food insecurity and disaster risk management.  

The concluding session identified some aspects of climate security that are under-researched, such as loss and damage from climate change, finance for mitigating climate security risks, and timeframe of activities. Various perspectives, challenges, and shortcomings were shared, providing valuable insights for further research in this area that allowed the workshop to conclude on a positive note.

In conclusion, this two-day event served to deepen the researchers' understanding of policy approaches to the nexus of climate and security in the Asia-Pacific. With the workshop outputs, IGES aims to propose actions for a climate-resilient Asia Pacific, and promote desirable diplomatic initiatives to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.