Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our times, and NATO has been actively engaging experts, civil society, and other groups to discuss the nexus between climate change and security. The NATO-Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) Regional Centre in Kuwait hosted the first ever discussion with Allied and Partner experts on emerging climate challenges and how to tackle them together, according to a press release issued by NATO.

The event, held in hybrid format, brought together approximately sixty civilian and military personnel from NATO, Allied countries and partner nations, as well as representatives from international organizations.

In her opening address, Nora-Elise Beck, Head of the NATO Office at the NATO-ICI Regional Centre in Kuwait, stressed that “climate change is a threat multiplier that impacts allied security, our infrastructure, our equipment, and the conditions in which our personnel operate. NATO Allies can embrace opportunities such as this event to work jointly with partners to address these challenges.”