Nairobi/ Geneva, 26 February – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is calling for strengthened global cooperation in addressing climate-induced migration as world leaders convene for the sixth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). 
 
“As leaders and decision makers gather at UNEA to set the global environmental agenda, let us not forget the plight of those forced to move due to climate and environmental factors,” said IOM Chief of Staff Mohammed Abdiker. 
 
It is estimated that up to 216 million people could become internal climate migrants by 2050 if specific climate action is not taken. With concrete, collective and timely actions, this number could be reduced by 80 percent. In 2022 alone, nearly 32 million new internal displacements were due to climate-related hazards, underscoring the mounting need to address this issue. 
 
“Through dialogue and cooperation, we can strengthen our commitment and action to address climate mobility,” highlighted Abdiker.  
 
No region in the world is immune to the negative impacts of climate change, felt either directly or indirectly. Less developed countries, which have contributed the least to its cause, are even more impacted.  
 
As this year's UNEA focuses on multilateralism to tackle climate change, recognising climate migration as a growing trend and an adaptation strategy, and ensuring that those forced to move are protected, is critical if we are to adapt to this changing landscape.  
 
IOM will convene, in partnership with the Government of Uganda, a high-level policy dialogue on 26 February bringing together representatives from Africa, the Pacific and the Caribbean regions to share best practices and regional frameworks on climate mobility, to tackle the impacts of climate change on human mobility.  
 
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In Nairobi : Yvonne Ndege, ronairobimcu@iom.in