International Organization for Migration

34th Session of the Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance

12-13 June 2024

Item 14(a) - IOM Comprehensive Approach to Preparedness, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (Background document S/34/7)

Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States

Geneva, 13 June 2024

Chair, Director General, Excellences and Distinguished Delegates,

I speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The candidate countries Türkiye, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina[1] and Georgia, the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Armenia align themselves with this statement.

1. The high number of natural disasters occurring worldwide, with 399 registered disasters only in 2023, and their immense impact, resulting in almost 90 thousand deaths and affecting the lives of 93 million people last year, are a stark reminder that preparedness and disaster risk reduction are crucial. In this context we welcome IOM’s presentation and informative report on its valuable work towards a comprehensive approach to preparedness, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
2.  We commend IOM for keeping this important topic on the agenda in all recent sessions of its governing bodies, and for dedicating last October’s International Dialogue on Migration to putting human mobility at the centre of climate change and disaster risk reduction discussions. We are glad to see this shift occurring in all the relevant processes such as the Sendai Midterm Review last year, COP discussions and the Summit of the Future, which we continue to support.  
3. Migration and displacement related to climate change and environmental shocks must be addressed from multiple angles, across different policy areas and by all relevant actors. We underline the importance of IOM enhancing the evidence-based approach and focusing on its comparative advantages to ensure that all actors work together (breaking the silos) and in synergy within the realms of their core strengths  Examples of this approach are integrating data-informed interventions based on IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix and progressive risk modelling tools, operationalising the use of early warning systems with necessary actions, and ensuring that the response includes solutions that foster resilience. We need a coordinated response from development, peace, humanitarian and climate actors to build the resilience and adaptive capacities of climate vulnerable and migration affected communities.
4. We encourage IOM to continue to foster partnerships within the UN family, with Governments, local actors, civil society and communities, while bringing the partnership with the private sector to a new level. Giving voice and ownership to affected people and communities is the key to sustainable actions. Local actors have built strong context-specific expertise and working with them and learning from them is essential, efficient and builds resilience.  
5. As humanitarian needs are reaching an all-time high and traditional donors are reaching the limits of their resources, the EU and its Member States welcome IOM’s focus on delivering cost effectiveness while saving lives and reducing humanitarian needs. Strengthening anticipatory action in areas with high climate change-related displacement risks can definitely make a difference.
6. We are glad to see that your recommendations to Member States are fully in line with what we are already doing and striving to further improve, both inside the EU and in offering assistance and know-how to our partners in third countries in line with their needs and priorities. The EU remains dedicated to advancing Early Warning systems, as evidenced by the ongoing progress of Copernicus in forecasting floods, fires, and droughts, which are widely shared with states
7. We actively contribute to the creation and implementation of fair and equitable global policies and instruments in the area of climate change and disaster risk reduction, such as the funding arrangements, including the fund, for responding to loss and damage, and hosting of the Santiago Network Secretariat. In turn, EU policies are built on several international binding instruments and frameworks with a cross-cutting emphasis on the importance of climate adaptation efforts and investments to prevent displacement. Through its Chairpersonship of the Platform on Disaster Displacement, the EU contributed towards defining the architecture of our joint response to disaster and weather-related displacement.
8. We welcome IOM’s continued efforts and comprehensive approach to address disaster displacement and we look forward to continuing our joint work on this issue.

Thank you, Chair.

[1] North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.