With the world in a state of turmoil due to the existential threat to humanity posed by climate change, worsening structural inequality and poverty, religious fundamentalism and nationalistic fanaticism, there could not have been a more suitable time to engage in honest dialogue on how to resolve the critical global issues that confront today’s global leaders. In this context we, the participants, predominantly from less developed and developing nations of the Global South, are deeply grateful to the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany for the opportunity to participate in the 3rd Seminar on Climate, Peace and Security.

The nexus Climate, Peace, and Security encapsulates the contemporary realities of global affairs. The various presentations by key research institutions, German federal agencies and the NATO representative uncovered the depth of the threat to international peace and security caused by climate change and in some instances the role of climate change as an intervening factor that further worsens existing conflict situations. This situation is more troubling in underdeveloped societies that lack the infrastructure, necessary technology and fiscal leverage to mitigate or adapt to the impact of climate change.

In light of the current slackening of global climate change efforts by some developed and developing nations, we in the most vulnerable societies, which lack fiscal leverage to finance urgent climate-resilient mitigation and adaptation projects, must continue to encourage and engage with developed and developing countries committed to the international agenda on climate change to make sure that climate change does not sink to the bottom of the agenda at multilateral, regional, and national level. The overlapping nature of societal conflict vulnerabilities, whether caused by climate change or other social factors, requires holistic consideration of questions concerning international peace, climate, and security.

We, the participants of the 3rd Seminar on Climate, Peace, and Security, express our sincere gratitude to the German Government, through the Federal Foreign Office, for granting us the opportunity to benefit from its training for international diplomats, specifically on the nexus of Climate, Peace, and Security. This experience has taught us that Diplomacy by Networking is an effective method of addressing contentious issues among nations; it provides an opportunity to develop close bonds of friendship with people of different nationalities, cultures, and experiences. The bonds we have developed as participants of this seminar will remain an invaluable asset to us in our careers and personal lives.

In conclusion, we extend special thanks and appreciation to Ambassador (ret.) Dr Georg Witschel, Programme Director, Nina Valentini, Programme Coordinator, and Konstantin Felix Wolf, Programme Assistant, for their patience, professionalism, tolerance and understanding in dealing with each of us as participants. Ambassador (ret.) Georg, we learned so much from you professionally and personally, your guidance will have a lasting impact on us all for the rest of our lives.

Leon Mannie Talery