2023-06-19 13:18:09
Cross-border exchange on the security policy effects of climate change
Vienna (PK) – The 15th International Conference of Ombudsman Institutions of the Armed Forces (15ICOAF) started in Parliament today. National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka, the Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces (PBHK) and the Geneva Center for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) invited to the two-day conference, which enabled almost 40 delegations from ombudsman institutions from all over the world to exchange experiences and establish best practice models.
The ICOAF sees itself as a platform for promoting democratic control of the armed forces and for preventing mismanagement and human rights violations. The central topic of this year’s conference is climate change and its implications for defense policy, but the question of mental health and the effects of the geopolitical upheavals caused by the Ukraine war will also be debated in various panels. It was opened today by National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka, Chairman of the Federal Army Commission Robert Laimer, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner and DCAF Director Nathalie Chuard.
Sobotka and Chuard on the security policy implications of climate change
In his opening remarks, the President of the National Council, Wolfgang Sobotka, explained that the armed forces are closely linked to the civilian population in many countries and are an integral part of society. It is all the more important that they deal with the central issues of the time. Climate change affects the armed forces not only in their own country, but also requires adequate reactions and adjustments in foreign operations – especially in the regions that are particularly affected. According to Sobotka, another topic at the conference, psychological stress, also represents a major current challenge, as numerous studies have shown. In times of lack of clarity and perspective, as well as manifold crises, the army can offer a strong foundation. Finally, the upheavals in global politics since the war in Ukraine called for joint answers, which would have to be worked out primarily through international exchange, said Sobotka.
Nathalie Chuard, director of the DCAF, also addressed the relevance of the ombudsman institutions for the armed forces and their international association. The opportunity to exchange experiences and forge transnational partnerships must be used to deal with the most urgent current problems. While the Ukraine war already dominated the debate at the conference last year, in 2023 the focus will be on the threats posed by the climate crisis, which have moved somewhat into the background. Chuard explained that the connection between climate change and security policy is becoming increasingly important, since the former acts as a multiplier for existing injustices and the potential for conflict that already exists. Therefore, according to Chuard, united action in connection with the effects of climate change is of the utmost importance.
Tanner and Laimer: Thinking security policy internationally
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner spoke of a “turning point”, not only because of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Pandemics, cyber attacks, terrorist attacks, possible blackouts and above all climate change and the resulting conflicts, wars and migration would pose major challenges for numerous societies. Since security policy increasingly has to be thought of internationally, Tanner was all the more pleased regarding the ICOAF and this year’s focus on climate change. This has a strong impact on the working conditions of the soldiers and their increased deployments in climate change-related natural disasters. Austria has a lot of experience in dealing with so-called elementary events, which can be passed on to the ICOAF participants, says Tanner. The question of the ecological footprint of the army itself is countered by self-sufficient barracks, the use of electric cars and regional catering for the troops. Tanner urged the participants to network at opportunities such as the ICOAF, because only together might possible solutions to the numerous challenges that climate change entails be found.
The Acting Chairman of the PBHK, Robert Laimer, saw the participation of almost 40 delegations from all regions of the world in the ICOAF as particularly relevant in order to generate a realistic picture of global conditions. The exchange of knowledge should be at the center of interpersonal encounters. Because ombudsman institutions take on an important bridging function between the military, political institutions and civil society and might provide valuable suggestions for national security strategies, Laimer referred to the “enormous added value” of conferences like the ICOAF, also for the individual states. (closing 15ICOAF) wit
A NOTICE: Photos from this conference can be found in the Parliament web portal.
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