Iran Joins 21st APPCED: Pioneering Climate Resilience Initiatives

An Iranian delegation, led by Somayyeh Rafiei, a Member of Parliament and vice president of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians Conference on Environment and Development (APPCED) executive committee, recently participated in the 21st APPCED held in South Korea on September 23. The conference’s primary focus was on the theme “Together, for Climate Resilience,” addressing urgent environmental issues affecting the Asia-Pacific region.

This significant event served as a vital platform for parliamentarians from across the Asia-Pacific to engage in dialogue, share insights, and explore best practices aimed at fostering collaborative efforts on pressing environmental challenges. The conference’s goals included:

• Promoting Regional Partnerships: Strengthening collaborations among member states to advance environmental initiatives.
• Enhancing Parliamentary Leadership: Empowering lawmakers to lead efforts towards building a resilient future in their nations.
• Addressing Climate Change: Discussing the urgent need for increased international support and accessible climate finance mechanisms, particularly for vulnerable nations.

During the conference, Rafiei held a crucial meeting with Woo Won-shik, the Speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea. They emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation and sharing expertise across various fields, particularly in environmental issues.

APPCED was established in June 1993 by the Korean Parliamentary League on Children, Population, and Environment (CEP) following the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. The conference aims to:

• Organize Meetings: Facilitate discussions among member states to address sustainable development challenges.
• Pursue Joint Measures: Collaborate on effective solutions to environmental concerns on a regional level.

Notably, Iran has hosted the 17th and 19th General Assembly of APPCED in 2014 and 2018, respectively. Additionally, the 20th Executive Committee Meeting of APPCED took place in Seoul, South Korea, on June 14-15, 2023.

Understanding Environmental Diplomacy

Environmental challenges often transcend national borders, necessitating proactive environmental diplomacy—defined as negotiations among two or more countries to address shared concerns. This approach is essential for resolving conflicts related to:

• Energy Resources: Negotiating access and rights to energy sources.
• Water Rights: Addressing disputes over shared water resources.
• Climate Change: Collaborating on strategies to mitigate climate impacts.

As reported by IRNA, fostering environmental diplomacy is crucial for settling disputes over:

• Water Resources: Countries must cooperate to manage shared water bodies.
• Environmental Pollution: Collaborative efforts are needed to combat pollution that affects multiple nations.
• Climate Change Impacts: Joint action is necessary to address the global climate crisis.

One stark example of the need for environmental diplomacy is the issue of sand and dust storms (SDSs) prevalent in West Asia. These storms not only originate in certain countries but also affect others, including:

• Saudi Arabia
• Iraq
• Syria
• Turkey
• Iran
• Azerbaijan
• Turkmenistan
• Afghanistan
• Pakistan

Efforts to resolve conflicts over natural resources, such as securing water rights for the Hirmand River and addressing pollution in the Aras River, highlight how environmental policies can facilitate cooperation among nations.

To effectively combat climate change and achieve sustainable development goals, it is crucial to strengthen environmental policy frameworks. This will enable Iran and its neighboring countries to:

• Utilize Available Resources: Ensure sustainable management of shared resources.
• Secure International Rights: Advocate for their interests in international forums.

These dust storms have severe consequences, including detrimental effects on respiratory health, ecosystem stability, and economic activities. They can lead to:

• Closure of airports, schools, and offices
• Disruptions to electricity transmission
• Significant economic losses

In conclusion, as the urgency of climate change continues to escalate, the collaboration fostered through conferences like APPCED is essential for crafting effective responses and shared strategies to ensure a sustainable future for the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.