Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Giorgos Gerapetritis is in New York on an official visit to the United Nations Headquarters. On February 13, Minister Gerapetritis addressed the UN Security Council high-level open debate on the impact of climate change and food insecurity on the maintenance of international peace and security. The event was held by initiative of the Security Council presiding member-state Republic of Guyana and UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered opening remarks.
Acknowledging the link between climate change and the subsequent imperilment of international peace and security, participants conferred with each other on how to foster preparedness so as to reduce the impacts (hunger), forestall greater threats (conflict) and eventually create the circumstances which would reverse the situation to the benefit of international peace (stability).
Addressing the debate, Greek Minister Gerapetritis stressed that “In the contemporary world, there is not a single challenge that does not interact with others. And there is not a single challenge that applies merely to a country or a region”. He further pointed out that “Greece will take the initiative of the nexus climate-peace-security, setting it as a priority of its candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UΝ Security Council for 2025/26”.
Greece is resolute that the issues of climate change, peace and security should be systematically integrated into the Security Council’s work, through joint pledges and contribution to UN operations. In this respect, the Hellenic Republic participates actively in the Group of Friends on Climate and Security, supports the need to advance the UN’s response to climate-related security risks and spares no effort in implementing the Paris Agreement (the international treaty on climate change), as well as the “Sustainable Development Agenda,” also known as the “2030 Agenda”.
Remarks by Hellenic Republic Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis
Watch the debate: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k18/k184wrle66