Seoul — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Republic of Korea (ROK), in cooperation with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), hosted on 1 November 2023 a technical dialogue on the climate crisis and explored how the UN can accelerate efforts to achieve the climate-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The event brought together global climate experts from the UN agencies, government officials, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), as well as professionals from other UN agencies, Seoul-based climate organizations and the academia.

The adverse impacts of current and worsening climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss are putting the lives of billions at risk. Ahead of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP28), which will take place later in Dubai (30 November to 12 December), the event sought to address climatic challenges by enhancing the understanding of the unique contributions of the UN as a partner to the Government and discussed approaches to upscale Korean government’s Green Official Development Assistance (ODA).

Organized under the theme of UN-led campaigns “Race to Resilience” and “Race to Zero,” the dialogue consisted of two sessions. Through active discussions between the Deputy Director General of Development Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Mr. Kyoo-ho Lee, and the climate experts from IOM, UNICEF and UNDP, the first session, “Reaching the Most Vulnerable,” highlighted the resilience of the most vulnerable to climate change impacts and explored means to enhance cooperation and target aid where it is most needed.

“Climate mobility is a reality. By 2050, more than 200 million people around the world will be internally migrating due to climate change,” said Sieun Lee, National Officer at IOM ROK. “But if we accelerate actions now, that number can be significantly reduced,” she added.

The second session focusing on “Race to Zero” provided valuable insights into practical pathways to net zero emissions through sustainable practices implemented by the UN agencies. Additionally, KOICA presented the mid-term climate change response strategy and stressed the importance of achieving carbon neutrality and the need to enhance climate partnerships. In this session, IOM emphasized the voices of the most vulnerable impacted by climate change, as well as discussed global policy developments.

“Numerous global frameworks have incorporated climate mobility. Yet, we lack the national implementation. Human mobility needs to be better mainstreamed in national policies such as national adaptation plans,” said Chris Richter, Regional Migration, Environment and Climate Change Thematic Specialist from IOM Regional Office for Asia-Pacific (ROAP). “A holistic approach is required to support the most vulnerable by facilitating their engagement in just transition processes, as well as to enhance the knowledge and capacities of the governments in the face of future crises.”

This event is one of the first climate-focused initiatives in Seoul co-hosted by UN agencies. It provided a unique opportunity for IOM and partners to improve inter-agency cooperation and engage with the Government to achieve progress and inspire climate actions. 

IOM supports governments and relevant stakeholders to promote solutions for environmental drivers that impact human mobility. IOM has recently released a flagship policy paper, Thinking about Tomorrow, Acting Today: the Future of Climate Mobility at the International Dialogue on Migration in Geneva.

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For more information, please contact Sieun LEE, IOM Republic of Korea Mission, Tel.: +82 70 4820 2751, Email: silee@iom.int.