- Anna Lührmann, State Minister, Federal Foreign Office
- Amb. Samuelu Laloniu, Special Envoy for the Rising Nations Initiative, Government of Tuvalu
- Kamal Amakrane, Managing Director, UN Global Centre for Climate Mobility; and Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow, Robert Bosch Academy
About the event
In her speech on 2 May 2023 at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, the German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock highlighted the pressing need for the international community to address the catastrophic impact of rising sea levels on island states. Similarly, the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned of “irreversible” climate impacts, particularly the existential threat of sea level rise on Small Island Developing States.
In the Pacific, the Atoll countries (i.e. Tuvalu, Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands) are projected to be completely uninhabitable in the next few decades, before complete inundation at the end of this century. In the face of this emergency, the heads of states of the Pacific Atoll countries launched the Rising Nations Initiative in the margins of the UN General Assembly in September 2022 to mobilize global efforts to protect their statehood, preserve their sovereignty, and safeguard the rights and heritage of the affected populations.
Against this backdrop, the Robert Bosch Stiftung in cooperation with the UN Global Centre for Climate Mobility is honored to host the visit of a high-level delegation from Tuvalu to Germany.
On the occasion of this event, you are invited to take part in this timely discussion with the members of the Tuvaluan Delegation, decision makers, experts, civil society and other stakeholders about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for addressing the existential threats of rising sea levels faced by Small Island Developing States, particularly the case of Pacific Atoll Island States. The event will also explore the role of Germany in the ongoing efforts to address these unique challenges, particularly around long-term climate adaptation as well as the protection of cultural heritage and sovereignty of states at the frontline of the climate crisis.
Agenda
2:00 pm - Welcome and keynote speeches
- Amb. Samuelu Laloniu, Special Envoy, Government of Tuvalu
- Anna Lührmann, State Minister, Federal Foreign Office
- Dr. Bernhard Straub, CEO, Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH
2:30 pm - Introducing the situation of Pacific Atoll Island States and the Rising Nations Initiative
3:15 pm - Panel discussion: How can we prepare for, and support the unprecedented climate adaptation facing Pacific Atoll Island States?
- Kamal Amakrane, Managing Director, UN Global Centre for Climate Mobility; and Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow, Robert Bosch Academy
- Amb. Samuelu Laloniu, Special Envoy for the Rising Nations Initiative, Government of Tuvalu
- Sabine Minninger, Senior Policy Advisor, Brot für die Welt
- Birgit Strube, Head of Division 422, Climate and Development Partnerships, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
- Moderation: Dr. Raphaela Schweiger, Program Director, Migration, Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH
4:30 pm - Panel discussion: How can we preserve and protect the culture, heritage, and rights of the people of Pacific Atoll Island States?
- Grace Malie, Rising Nations Youth Delegate
- Prof. Dr. Stefan Simon, Director, Rathgen-Forschungslabor, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
- Dr. Koko Warner, Director, UN Migration Global Data Institute, International Organization for Migration
- Cristina Zametzer, Head of Division 613, German Arquaeological Institute, Cultural Preservation, Federal Foreign Office
- Moderation: Yu Ping Chan, Senior Advisor, Global Centre for Climate Mobility
5:30 pm - Closing remarks and reception
About the Rising Nations Initiative
The Rising Nations Initiative, launched by Heads of states in September 2022, is aimed at pressing forward efforts to protect the statehood of Pacific Atoll countries, preserving their sovereignty, and safeguarding the rights and heritage of affected populations amid the climate crisis and the existential threat that this poses. The RNI is a member states-led initiative, guided by a core group of champions, including all Pacific Atoll countries. It is based around three complementary drivers of action: knowledge, partnerships, and advocacy.
Registration for this event is closed.