COP29 Baku Azerbaijan
Major General (Retd.) A.N.M. Muniruzzaman, President of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS), was invited as a distinguished speaker at COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan. This pioneering event, titled “Serving in the Storm: Strengthening National Security Institutions to Provide Accountable and Effective Security for the State and Its Peoples During the Climate Crisis,” focused on the intersection of climate change and Security Sector Reform and Governance (SSR&G), drawing significant global attention to this critical issue.
The event which was jointly hosted by the UN and The Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) brought together key stakeholders and experts to address the urgent need for adaptation and mitigation strategies to tackle the growing security challenges posed by climate change. Speaking on the issue, UN Secretary-General warned, “We are out of road and time.” Major General Muniruzzaman emphasized the necessity for the security sector to proactively evaluate and analyze the impending threats posed by the climate crisis. He stressed the importance of preparing security institutions to meet these challenges head-on.
He spoke about the security sector and its need to adopt sustainable, “green” practices. He also emphasized the urgent need for the establishment of a global ‘Green-SSR’ Fund and the development of national security institutions in global south to provide effective and sustainable security during climate-induced crises.
Lastly, Major General Muniruzzaman issued a powerful call to action, urging global leaders and security stakeholders to recognize the climate crisis as a pressing security challenge. “It is time to prepare,” he said, emphasizing that collective action and innovative security solutions are essential to navigating the unprecedented security impacts of climate change.
