Africa

The army is called in to help the police search nearby forests and rescue the kidnapped girls.

The structure fell after panicked miners reportedly fled from military gunfire.

Credit: R_Tee / shutterstock.com

By Ambika Vishwanath and Treesa Shaju
Nov 17 2025 (IPS)

 
Emerging research on the nexus between climate, peace and security (CPS) supports the integration of climate adaptation and mitigation methods to advance sustainable peace. While climate change itself may not be the direct cause of conflict, its cascading effects such as resource scarcity, displacement, and economic stress could become focal points of tension. Although these links remain debated, meaningful responses could have delayed stabilizing effects. Locally driven responses become essential in addressing climate change as a security concern, to mitigate future cycles of conflict. A nuanced CPS framing can support smarter climate action while enhancing security at multiple levels. India’s scalable local models, Germany’s technical expertise, and Australia’s Pacific engagement pose an opportunity for the three countries to collaborate on advancing integrated CPS approaches.

How is this playing out in the Indo-Pacific?

The Indo-Pacific, one of the fastest growing regions from an economic, trade and development standpoint, is facing some of the most complex challenges arising from climate change and geopolitical developments. These are compounded by non-traditional security issues such as rising food, water and health insecurities, the intensity of which often eclipses traditional security concerns for regional policy makers. The COP27 Presidency initiative “Climate Responses for Sustaining Peace” (CRSP), spearheaded a pivot from a climate security nexus towards a climate and peacebuilding nexus that becomes useful to adapt for the Indo-Pacific region. The dichotomy of need, approach and security response provides countries a new potential for innovative engagement across the region.

Innovative approaches require acknowledging that current development models and business as usual will no longer be sustainable. As risks and challenges intensify with global repercussions, new partners must step-up with skills, knowledge and resources for ground up, contextual transformation. Germany, India and Australia have very different historical contexts and regional approaches, yet these growing global powers must respond proactively and in a coordinated manner.

Beyond solely relying on existing multilateral institutions, it is pragmatic to explore new configurations that address gaps left by larger organizations. Smaller groupings working with local actors can deliver ground-up solutions that states can sustain beyond donor cycles/political changes. They are also better equipped to pursue integrated approaches while working towards larger strategic balance and security concerns.

As one of the oldest and largest partners in the region, Australia has committed to being a principled and reliable partner to countries in the Pacific as well as the wider Indian Ocean region. Its 2024 National Defence Strategy, International Development Policy and remarks by senior leadership over the last few years suggest a strong commitment to relationships, with a global security agenda that is (debatably) climate-forward, ranging from disaster response to renewable energy. As a founding member of the India Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), it remains the largest donor with deep ties and networks despite a chequered legacy.

India positions itself as the primary security provider for the Indian Ocean region, evolving from a regionally focused Neighbourhood First Policy to a more comprehensive Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative. It is a founding member of the International Solar Alliance which focuses on climate positive solutions especially for LDCs and SIDS. While India has had a longer history in the Indian Ocean, its engagement with the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) has steadily increased through grants, lines of credit, concessional loans, humanitarian assistance, capacity building, and technical assistance in areas like Health, IT, education, and community development. India’s development cooperation is guided by the principles of South-South cooperation, anchored on low-cost development solutions and non-conditional aid.

While Germany’s engagement in the region has been more recent in comparison, it brings technical knowledge and capacity in climate adaptation, ecosystem-based solutions, and capacity-building initiatives. German universities and research organizations are engaged in developing cutting edge climate tech solutions, which can be contextualised with regional partner countries. For example, the ‘Ensuring climate-resilient access to water and sanitation’ project strengthened rural water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems by integrating modern climate-resilient technologies.

Unlikely partners make for innovative engagement

Though minilateral cooperation has tended to proceed ad hoc or with a strict focus on blue economy or marine pollution issues, it offers a nuanced approach to balance traditional security concerns and emerging climate related risks and challenges. While many trilateral and quadrilateral efforts exist, a more efficient streamlining of projects, knowledge and resources can benefit small island countries in the Indian and Pacific Ocean that are often overwhelmed by attention. Many current efforts consume valuable resources while primarily functioning as discussion forums with limited tangible impact on ground. While Germany, India and Australia might seem like unlikely partners, their unique and complementary skills and resources can implement a more nuanced CPS agenda with partners across the Indo-Pacific. Their potential lies in addressing overlooked areas such as smaller projects, research, financing options and capacity building.

One way to begin collaboration is by establishing a trilateral technical cooperation track with the Pacific Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Hub, a coordinated regional support mechanism for PICs to implement and finance their climate commitments. While Germany and Australia are already among the key financiers, this track could leverage Australia’s regional presence and expertise while Germany and India could offer institutional support on low grade technology, low-cost project design merging modern technology with traditional knowledge. The track could commence with scaled down water security related projects, a key area of concern for many Pacific nations.

Another possibility is expanding the India–Australia Centre of Excellence for Disaster Management to include Germany-based Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) that specializes in technology such as AI for Pandemics and Disaster Risk Reduction. Together, they could jointly develop, and pilot dual-use disaster risk resilience technologies and capacity-building programs tailored for the Indo-Pacific region.

While both India and Germany have ongoing capacity constraints, their technical knowledge can complement Australia’s operations in the Pacific. Ignoring these opportunities risks leaving the region trapped in reactive cycles of crisis management, without solutions that are locally owned and sustainable. Innovative approaches that focus on filling the gaps can address the complex ways in which CPS linkages play out. Moving forward, strategic coordination among partners will be essential to translating these approaches into sustained regional impact.

Related articles:
Reconstructing the China–India Climate Diplomacy
The Case for a Climate-First Maritime Reframing of the Indian Ocean Region
The Indus Water Treaty Suspension: A Wake-Up Call for Asia–Pacific Unity?
Left Behind: Why Afghanistan Cannot Tackle Climate Change Alone

Ambika Vishwanath is the Founder Director of Kubernein Initiative and a Principal Research Fellow at La Trobe Asia. She is a geopolitical expert and works at the intersection of emerging security challenges, climate security, and foreign policy.

Treesa Shaju is a Programme Associate at Kubernein Initiative with an interest in the intersection of gender, foreign policy and conflict. She is a 2023 Women of Colour Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation (WCAPS) fellow..

This article was issued by the Toda Peace Institute and is being republished from the original with their permission

IPS UN Bureau

 

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A girl walking to collect water for her family in Sindh Province, Pakistan. Heatwave posed social impact on vulnerable groups such as women and girls. Credit: UNICEF/Saiyna Bashir
 
The Ninth Session of the ESCAP Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction is scheduled to take place from 26 to 28 November 2025 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok.

By Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana
BANGKOK, Thailand, Nov 17 2025 (IPS)

The year 2024 was the hottest on record globally. In Asia and the Pacific, Bangladesh was the worst-hit country, with about 33 million people affected by lower crop yields that destabilized food systems, along with extensive school closures and many cases of heatstroke and related diseases. Children, the elderly and outdoor low-wage earners in poor and densely populated urban areas suffered the most, as they generally had less access to cooling systems or to water supplies and adequate healthcare. India, too, was badly affected, with around 700 heat-related deaths mostly in informal settlements.

Higher-income areas usually lie in cooler, greener neighbourhoods, so the hottest districts are often the poorest – adding to social inequality. In the city of Bandung, Indonesia, for example, a study shows that there can be temperature differences of up to 7°C between the hottest and coolest parts of town.

Future prospects for the region will depend critically on the progress of climate change. Under a high-emissions scenario, we project that extreme heat will be more frequent, intense and widespread — what were once occasional events will become seasonal or even year-round phenomena. Rising temperatures also affect other parts of the Earth’s ecosystem – notably glacial melt.

Warming in the Arctic can influence weather, precipitation and glacial behaviour across Central and South Asia. Globally, this century, glaciers have lost about 5 per cent of their volume. By 2060, under a high-emissions scenario, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mongolia, Myanmar, Türkiye and Uzbekistan could lose more than 70 per cent of their glacier mass. These phenomena also add to sea-level rise, raising existential risks for some countries in the Pacific.

To tackle these challenges, countries will meet this week at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific to consider opportunities to integrate heat risk into early warning systems and development planning.

The key priority is to move from reactive heat risk management to long-term, science-informed strategies. Policy actions are needed at local, national, regional and global levels. This is the International Year of Glacial Preservation, which offers a critical opportunity for collective action.

At the local level, nature-based solutions such as trees lining streets, urban parks, green roofs and wetland conservation help lower urban temperatures. These measures can increase shade, promote evapotranspiration and act as heat sinks, reducing heat island effects. Vegetation and tree canopies can reduce peak summer temperatures by up to 5°C.

While effects vary by vegetation type and density, green roofs and walls in Singapore, for example, have been shown to reduce surface temperatures by up to 17°C and ambient air temperatures by as much as 5°C.

Countries in Asia and the Pacific can significantly reduce heat-related illness, mortality and disruptions to livelihoods by building heat-ready, multi-hazard early warning systems. Expanding heat-health warning systems in just 57 countries could save approximately 100,000 lives each year.

To support countries, ESCAP plans to scale-up climate-responsive and inclusive social protection schemes that include technical support for heat-specific social protection provisions that ensure heat readiness, along with income and non-income support, especially for the poor living in densely populated urban areas.

Additionally, recognizing the benefits of nature-based solutions, our efforts can strengthen collaboration among national governments, municipalities and local communities to create green, cooling cross-border corridors.

These passages can chill the air, reduce surface temperatures and provide buffers against desertification, land degradation, drought and sand and dust storms.

Finally, we must push the use of innovative space solutions to strengthen heat preparedness in early warning systems. Despite the proven benefits of early warning systems, coverage remains incomplete. Only 54 per cent of global meteorological services issue warnings for extreme temperatures, and even fewer provide alerts for heatwaves or thermal stress.

In Nepal, for example, a community survey revealed that about three-quarters of respondents from vulnerable groups had not received any heat alerts.

ESCAP can leverage existing cooperation to share Earth observation data and technical expertise for mapping and monitoring heat exposure and city vulnerability to urban heat island effects. This information enables greater precision in forecasting and quantifying heat risk, as well as for issuing timely heat alerts.

The Asia-Pacific region has considerable experience in managing cascading disasters. But the rising threat of extreme heat adds a new level of urgency. Every country needs to act now to meet the scale of this evolving disaster risk landscape and to turbocharge regional cooperation. ESCAP stands ready to support countries in these endeavours – as we prepare for an ever-hotter world.

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Excerpt:

Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana is UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP

The civil engineer was seen in the front row of a protest organised by the National Socialist Network.

The UN says hundreds of people were killed in the protests. Verified clips show the violent actions of police as they attempted to crush protests.

The UN says hundreds of people were killed in the protests. Verified clips show the violent actions of police as they attempted to crush protests.

In den Spitzengremien grosser Unternehmen sind Schweizer Vertreter inzwischen in der Minderheit. Eine immer dominantere Rolle nehmen Angelsachsen ein. Das wird zum Problem.

Täglich hält dich Blick mit News aus der ganzen Welt auf dem Laufenden. Darum weisst du bestimmt auch Bescheid, was in der vergangenen Woche vorgefallen ist. Beweis uns dein News-Wissen im Quiz und gewinne ein zweimonatiges Blick+-Abo!

Marjorie Taylor Greene bricht mit Donald Trump – und bringt damit das rechte Lager ins Wanken. Zwischen persönlichen Angriffen, skurrilen Auftritten und wachsender Wut in der Republikanischen Partei stellt sich die Frage: Hält MAGA das noch aus?

Portugal qualifiziert sich mit einem beeindruckenden 9:1-Sieg gegen Armenien für die WM 2026. Die Seleçao zeigt eine Gala-Vorstellung, während Irland dank eines späten Hattricks von Troy Parrott die Playoff-Chance wahrt.

Dan Ndoye und Johan Manzambi haben gegen Schweden mit einem Assist und einem Tor abgeliefert. In «FORZA!» sprechen Tobias Wedermann und Florian Raz über die positive Entwicklung der beiden Offensivkräfte.

Die Ausgangslage vor dem Spiel der Nati im Kosovo liest sich vielversprechend: Selbst bei einer Niederlage mit fünf Toren würde man noch das direkte WM-Ticket lösen. Bei Blick-Fussballchef Tobias Wedermann schwingt trotzdem eine Skepsis mit, wie er in «FORZA!» verrät.

Több ezren vonultak utcára szombaton Mexikóban, hogy tiltakozzanak az országban növekvő erőszak ellen. Michoacán szövetségi államban is tüntettek, ahol november 1-jén meggyilkolták Uruapan város szervezett bűnözés ellen harcoló polgármesterét.

South Africa secure their first Test victory in India since 2010 as they triumph in a low-scoring thriller inside three days in Kolkata.

La proposition de loi portant révision de la constitution adoptée par les députés de la 9e législature lors de la séance plénière du vendredi 14 novembre 2025, instaure désormais un Sénat au Bénin. Cette nouvelle institution selon les nouvelles dispositions est composée des membres de droit (d'office), de membres désignés, et de membres supplémentaires.

Le Sénat créé au Bénin. Les députés en adoptant la proposition de loi portant révision de la constitution l'ont instituée. Cette nouvelle institution de la République est composée de membres de droit, de membres désignés et de membres supplémentaires.

Les membres de droit (d'office)
Les membres de droit selon une source proche de la cellule de communication de la Présidence de la République regroupent :
– les anciens Présidents de la République ;
– les anciens Présidents du Parlement ;
– les anciens Présidents de la Cour constitutionnelle (élus, ayant exercé au moins la moitié de leur mandat).

Les membres désignés
Selon les nouvelles dispositions, les membres désignés regroupent :
– 05 personnalités issues des forces de défense et de sécurité (choisies parmi les anciens chefs d'État-major ayant assumé des responsabilités majeures) ;
– des membres supplémentaires désignés à parité par le Président de la République et le Président du Parlement si le nombre de membres de droit n'atteint pas 25.

Le mandat et la direction du Sénat
Le mandat des sénateurs désignés est fixé à 05 ans, renouvelable.
Cette nouvelle institution est dirigée par un Président, un Vice-président et un Rapporteur, tous élus pour un mandat de 05 ans renouvelable.
L'âge maximum pour être membre du Sénat est de 85 ans. Selon les dispositions transitoires, cette limite d'âge ne s'applique pas à la première mandature. L'objectif visé étant de permettre aux premiers sénateurs de siéger pleinement jusqu'à la fin de leur mandat.

Obligation de réserve et de neutralité
Les sénateurs ne peuvent exercer aucune activité politique partisane. Ils sont soumis à une obligation stricte de réserve politique pour garantir l'indépendance et la sagesse institutionnelle du Sénat.
Les députés en adoptant la nouvelle révision, ont rallongé les mandats du Président de la République, des députés, et des conseillers communaux, qui passent désormais à 7 ans.

F. A. A.

Après le député Justin Adjovi, secrétaire national à la Trésorerie du parti Les Démocrates (LD), un autre député LD a annoncé sa démission dans la soirée de ce samedi 15 novembre 2025.

Nouvelle vague de démissions chez Les Démocrates. La formation politique de l'ex président Boni Yayi a perdu deux députés ce samedi 15 novembre 2025. Sounon Boké Soumaïla, a annoncé son retrait de la principale formation politique de l'opposition, quelques heures après la démission de Justin Adjovi, secrétaire national à la Trésorerie du parti. Le député démissionnaire explique son choix pour « des raisons de principes ».
Lors du vote de la loi portant révision de la constitution au petit matin de ce samedi 15 novembre, en plus du groupe des 6 députés qui avaient démissionné il y a quelques jours, d'autres membres du parti d'opposition ont voté pour la proposition de loi, marquant ainsi leur adhésion aux idéaux du chantre de la Rupture et du Nouveau Départ.

F. A. A.

Les partis politiques régulièrement constitués au Bénin, et qui désirent participer aux élections législatives de janvier 2026 peuvent déjà déposer leurs dossiers de candidatures à la Commission électorale nationale autonome (CENA). Le président, Sacca Lafia a procédé au lancement officiel de la phase d'enregistrement des dossiers vendredi 14 novembre 2025.

Dans le cadre des élections législatives de 2026 au Bénin, l'enregistrement des dossiers de candidatures a démarré samedi 15 novembre 2025 à 08h00 à la CENA, et s'achève mercredi 19 novembre 2025 à minuit, délai de rigueur.
Le président Sacca Lafia a officiellement lancé cette phase importante du processus électoral vendredi 14 novembre.
Chaque parti politique devra soumettre 109 dossiers de candidatures de titulaires, et 109 dossiers de candidatures de suppléants, soit au total de 218 dossiers. Et ce, dans le respect strict des prescriptions légales et réglementaires.
Au regard des difficultés enregistrées lors du dépôt de dossiers pour les communales, Sacca Lafia invite les partis politiques à faire preuve de discipline, de rigueur administrative et d'anticipation, afin de garantir la recevabilité de leurs candidatures dans les délais impartis. Il a réaffirmé son engagement à conduire le processus électoral dans le respect des principes de transparence, d'équité et de légalité, conformément aux textes en vigueur.
Au terme de cette première journée, aucun dossier n'a été enregistré par les équipes mises en place par la CENA.

F. A. A.

Un poste de péage sera opérationnel sur la Route nationale inter-Etat numéro 2 (RNIE 2). L'ouvrage destiné exclusivement aux véhicules à 4 roues, est presque achevé et sera bientôt mis en service.

L'Etat corrige une insuffisance en ce qui concerne la collecte de ressources sur les axes routiers, notamment la RNIE2. Les usagers ne devront plus atteindre le poste de péage de Diho, dans la commune de Savè avant de s'acquitter des taxes.
Sur l'axe Cotonou-Bohicon, plus précisément à Colli, une localité située à Houègbo, dans la commune de Toffo, un nouveau poste de péage est érigé. L'ouvrage en cours de réalisation est presqu'achevé, et sera bientôt mis en service.
Destiné aux véhicules à 4 roues, le poste de péage de Colli est doté d'un seul guichet de perception dans chaque sens de circulation. Une insuffisance qui pourrait provoquer des embouteillages au regard du flux de trafic dans les villes situés au centre du pays, surtout pendant les weekends.

F. A. A.

Canru Pataxo with his toddler son at the People’s March for Climate held in the COP30 host city, Belém, Brazil. Credit: Tanka Dhakal/IPS

By Tanka Dhakal
BELÉM, Brazil, Nov 15 2025 (IPS)

In the scorching heat and humidity, Canru Pataxo marched with his one-year-old son firmly held in his arms.

Pataxo was one of the thousands of Indigenous people and activists who protested in Belém on Saturday to express their anger and pressure world leaders. He attended the protest in the host city of the UN Climate Conference with his son, as it was his child’s future that he was fighting for.

“The importance of having my son here is to show him that I need to protect the future,” he said while trying to protect his son’s face from the sun. “He is my future; he is the future of my people.”

Pataxo is indigenous to the world’s biggest carbon-capturing forest, the Amazon. While world leaders and negotiators decide the future of climate action from COP30 negotiation rooms, people on the front line of climate change impacts and activists marched to pressure negotiators to act now.

“I believe that much more still needs to be done. The conference is not yet enough to guarantee my son’s future,” Pataxo said. “His future still depends on what countries do for our environment.”

The climate negotiations are heading toward their final week. Indigenous communities and climate activists demand climate justice for people, not for corporations. After COP26 in Glasgow, the host city also saw the largest march by the people. Armed with placards and symbols of a burning Earth, they denounced  fossil fuel industries, government inaction, and corporate lobbying.

“I think that’s what’s exciting about this COP, that civil disobedience is allowed,” said Timi Moloto, a climate activist from South Africa. “It’s vital that we don’t put limits on how Indigenous people achieve our liberation.”

In a recent Emissions Gap Report, the UN Environment Program warned that the world is on track to exceed the 1.5°C temperature mark within the next decade and called for urgent action.

Indigenous people in traditional attire at the People’s March for Climate held in the COP30 host city, Belém, Brazil. Credit: Tanka Dhakal/IPS

 

Thousands of people marched at the People’s March for Climate held in the COP30 host city, Belém, Brazil, demanding climate action. Credit: Tanka Dhakal/IPS

 

Protesters at the People’s March for Climate held in the COP30 host city, Belém, Brazil, in symbolic costumes depicting pollution caused by fossil fuel. Credit: Tanka Dhakal/IPS

 

A young activist chanting at the People’s March for Climate held in the COP30 host city, Belém, Brazil. Credit: Tanka Dhakal/IPS

 

An Indigenous participant with elaborate feather headdresses at the People’s March for Climate held in the COP30 host city, Belém, Brazil. Credit: Tanka Dhakal/IPS

 

People walked several kilometers during the People’s March for Climate, held in the COP30 host city Belém, Brazil, without thinking about the heat. Credit: Tanka Dhakal/IPS

 

Fossil fuel phaseout is one of the major demands by the activist community at the People’s March for Climate held in the COP30 host city, Belém, Brazil, but at the COP more than 1600 fossil fuel lobbyists are participating. Credit: Tanka Dhakal/IPS

 

A group of Indigenous people at the People’s March for Climate held in the COP30 host city, Belém, Brazil. Credit: Tanka Dhakal/IPS

 

A protester wearing a mask at the People’s March for Climate held in the COP30 host city, Belém, Brazil. Credit: Tanka Dhakal/IPS

This photo essay is published with the support of Open Society Foundations.

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Excerpt:

Thousands, including a young father and his toddler, took to the streets for the People’s March for Climate held in the COP30 host city, Belém, Brazil. The march represents a halfway mark in the climate negotiations.