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Security Council
Open
Debate
on
Energy,
Security and Climate - Letter dated
5 April 2007
from the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland to the United Nations addressed to the President of
the Security Council (S/2007/186)
STATEMENT
by U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON TO U.N. ON ENERGY, SECURITY
AND CLIMATE
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Madam President,
Excellencies,
Thank you for the opportunity
to address the Security Council on this serious and timely topic.
Throughout human history,
people and countries have fought over natural resources. From livestock,
watering holes and fertile land, to trade routes, fish stocks and spices, sugar,
oil, gold and other precious commodities, war has too often been the means to
secure possession of scarce resources. Even today, the uninterrupted supply of
fuel and minerals is a key element of geopolitical considerations.
Things are easier at times of
plenty, when all can share in the abundance, even if to different degrees. But
when resources are scarce -- whether energy, water or arable land -- our fragile
ecosystems become strained, as do the coping mechanisms of groups and
individuals. This can lead to a breakdown of established codes of conduct, and
even outright conflict.
Madam President,
At the 2005 World Summit,
Member States renewed their commitment to promoting a culture of prevention of
armed conflict. They also pledged to strengthen the capacity of the United
Nations to this end. The Security Council adopted resolution 1625 on conflict
prevention, particularly in Africa, and reaffirmed the need to address the root
causes of conflict.
In a series of reports on
conflict prevention, my predecessor, Secretary-General Kofi Annan, pointed to
the threats emanating from environmental degradation and resource scarcity. Let
me quote from the latest of the reports: ¡§Environmental degradation has the
potential to destabilize already conflict-prone regions, especially when
compounded by inequitable access or politicization of access to scarce
resources. I urge Member States to renew their efforts to agree on ways that
allow all of us to live sustainably within the planet's means.¨
Excellencies, allow me to renew
and amplify this call. Compared to the cost of conflict and its consequences,
the cost of prevention is far lower -- in financial terms but most importantly
in human lives, and life quality.
I firmly believe that today,
all countries recognize that climate change, in particular, requires a long-term
global response, in line with the latest scientific findings, and compatible
with economic and social development.
According to the most recent
assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the planet¡¦s
warming is unequivocal, its impact is clearly noticeable, and it is beyond doubt
that human activities have been contributing considerably to it.
Adverse effects are already
felt in many areas, including agriculture and food security; oceans and coastal
areas; biodiversity and ecosystems; water resources; human health; human
settlements; energy, transport and industry; and extreme weather events.
Projected changes in the earth¡¦s
climate are thus not only an environmental concern. They can also have serious
social and economic implications. And -- as the Council points up today --
issues of energy and climate change can have implications for peace and
security. This is especially true in vulnerable regions that face multiple
stresses at the same time -- pre-existing conflict, poverty and unequal access
to resources, weak institutions, food insecurity, and incidence of diseases such
as HIV/AIDS.
Consider the following
scenarios -- all alarming, though not alarmist:
« The adverse effects of
changing weather patterns, such as floods and droughts, and related economic
costs, including compensation for lost land, could risk polarizing society and
marginalizing communities. This, in turn, could weaken the institutional
capacity of the State to resolve conflict through peaceful and democratic means,
to ensure social cohesion, and to safeguard human rights.
« Extreme weather events and
natural disasters, such as floods and drought, increase the risk of humanitarian
emergencies, and thus the risk of instability and dislocation.
« Migration driven by factors
such as climate change could deepen tensions and conflicts, particularly in
regions with large numbers of internally displaced persons and refugees.
« Scarce resources, especially
water and food, could help transform peaceful competition into violence.
« Limited or threatened access
to energy is already known to be a powerful driver of conflict. Our changing
planet risk making it more so.
« And of course, the economic
costs and losses of all these scenarios would impede the ability of countries to
reach the Millennium Development Goals.
These are of course only
possible scenarios. But we cannot sit back and watch to see whether they turn
into reality. The entire multilateral machinery needs to come together to
prevent it from becoming so.
We must focus more clearly on
the benefits of early action. The resources of civil society and the private
sector must be brought in. And this Council has a role to play in working with
other competent intergovernmental bodies to address the possible root causes of
conflict discussed today.
The Secretariat stands ready to
assist all entities engaged in the pursuit of their respective mandates. I
personally look forward to engaging with Member States on these issues, and hope
that through discussions in various fora, we can develop a broad consensus on
the way forward.
Thank you very much.
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