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Hello, its Kasmira. International Geneva has packed its bags and gone to Egypt this week, where talks got off to a contentious start this weekend after delegates couldn't agree on what to discuss or include on the agenda – namely the questions of loss and damage. With the opening day already proving difficult, will this year's summit be the "watershed moment" its hosts have billed it to be, or will Greta Thunberg, who has decided this year that it's not worth attending, be proven right?

Our main stories below explore some of the key issues, from health-related risks of climate change, which remains a sidelined topic at the summit, to what can be done to help countries to reduce their vulnerability to climate disasters.

photo journaliste

Kasmira Jefford

07.11.2022


On our radar


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The entrance of the International Convention Center in Sharm El-Sheikh, where the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference Cop27 is taking place. (Photo: Keystone/DPA/Gehad Hamdy)

🌍Cop27: war, inflation and geopolitical tensions reduce chances of breakthrough. Over 120 heads of state are expected to attend this year's UN Climate Conference (COP 27), which kicked off yesterday, raising hopes that global leaders will at least give a nod to the most existential crisis facing humanity by bothering to attend in person. But in a world paralysed by the Ukraine war, inflation and deep north-south divides, the chances of bold climate action continue to appear grim – even as the warnings of climate catastrophe and real life damages incurred in human lives, livelihoods and health continue to increase exponentially. Here’s a breakdown of the issues to look out for this week and next.

Geneva Solutions / Health Policy Watch (EN)

Here's what else is happening


Interview of the day


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Mami Mizutori, special representative of the United Nations secretary general for disaster risk reduction, and head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDDR). (Keystone/AFP/Fabrice Coffrini)

🌊 ‘Disasters don’t have to be inevitable’. En route to Cop27, Mami Mizutori, the head of the UN's office for disaster risk reduction tells Geneva Solutions what causes her the most sleepless nights when it comes to extreme weather events – and why more can be done to prevent them from striking communities unprepared.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

Also on the agenda


📌 7 November | How to control killer robots? For the past month, Russia has been committing “kamikaze drones” in swarms, capable of crossing nearly 1,000 kilometres and loaded with explosives, on targets in Ukraine. How will these killer robots change the way of war? With what risks of errors, in particular for civilian populations? Should the Geneva Conventions be adapted to a new type of war? These are some of the questions that will be debated with three experts.

Geneva Press Club (FR)

📌 8 November | A dialogue with Elisabeth Decrey Warner, founder of Geneva Call. Warner, the founder of the humanitarian organisation Geneva Call and a lifelong advocate of dignity and human rights, will be discussing her book "A Woman in Rebel Lands" at the Diplomatic Club of Geneva, followed by a signing session and a cocktail reception. Membership is required.

Club Diplomatique de Genève (FR)

For more events, visit the Genève Internationale website.


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