Protecting the Environment is Protecting Civilians: Humanitarian Effects of Conflict-Related Damage to the Environment and Civilian Infrastructure

May 25, 2023 | Environmental Peacebuilding Association, IOM, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Vietnam to the United Nations, UNMAS, Swiss Confederation, Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations, and PAX
New York, NY

A panel of high-level speakers will explore the environment, climate, and conflict nexus, and the detrimental impacts conflicts have on civilians and the environment they depend on. The event will highlight prevention, mitigation, and remediation of conflict-related environmental damage as a means of improving the protection of civilians in armed conflict, highlighting the need for a more coordinated, coherent response across various international protection and environmental actors and entities.

The side event will be held in Conference Room A of UN Headquarters (NY) from 8:30 - 10:00 am.

List of Speakers:

Welcoming remarks: (virtually) Ms. Rolien Sasse, Executive Director, PAX

Moderator: Dr. Carl Bruch, President, Environmental Peacebuilding Association

- H.E. Ms. Nicole Ruder, Assistant Director General, Ambassador, Head of Multilateral Affairs and NGO Division for Switzerland’s Agency for Development and Cooperation

- H.E. Ms. Maritza Chan, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations

- H.E. Mr. Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United Nations

- H.E. Mr. Abukar Dahir Osman, Permanent Representative of Somalia to the United Nations

- Ms. Ilene Cohn, Director of the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS)

- Mr. Pär Liljert, Director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), New York Office

- Ms. Laetitia Courtois, Permanent Observer and Head of Delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to the United Nations

After the panel, further speakers will have the opportunity to participate from the floo