Climate change is considered as one of the most serious challenges that pose threats to global security and economic prosperity. The G7 Foreign Ministers have been discussing this topic since 2013, through a working group on climate change and fragility. The G7 Hiroshima Foreign Ministers' Meeting in 2017 recognized the urgency of addressing climate-fragility risks and stressed the importance of aligning efforts on foreign policy towards the common goal of reducing the risks in order to increase resilience against global climate change.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan organized a roundtable seminar on climate change and fragility implications on international security in January 2017 and its follow-up review meetings. The seminar and meetings proposed such actions as:
- - study and discuss climate change and fragility in Asia and Pacific region;
- - explore concrete approaches to be taken by the government; and
- - make proposals to the related G7 Foreign Ministers' meetings.
As a follow-up, Japan submitted the report about analysis on climate change impacts to natural disasters in Asia and Pacific region and correlation with socioeconomic fragility in the region at the working group held in Rome in October 2017 to the G7 Italian presidency. The findings of the report were also shared at COP23 Preparatory Workshop in Suva, Fiji as well as COP23 in Bonn, Germany.
At this international conference on climate change and fragility in Asia and Pacific region, the participants are encouraged to discuss various aspects of fragility and security, risk management of companies in the regions and investment risks brought by climate change with particular emphasis on extreme weather events and resilient infrastructure. Participants will explore approaches/actions which central/local governments, and companies, think tanks, researchers and civil society can take to address potential risks in the future through considering scenarios.
The discussion will build upon the findings of the 2017 report as well as feedback and comments given on various occasions including follow-up meeting of experts on March 28, 2018. The outcome of the conference will be released on this page and will be utilized as proposals in international conferences including the working group.
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