“European Development Days”, Lisbon, 7-9 November 2007

The Greek HSN Chairmanship presented the impact of climate change on vulnerable population groups as the main priority of Greece’s participation in the event entitled “Development Village”, held within the framework of the “European Days of Development 2007.” This is a European Commission initiative, and was carried out for a second consecutive year in association with EU member states, international organisations, and civil society agencies. The theme of the “European Days of Development 2007” was “Climate Change and Development Cooperation”.

Greek participation included a presentation of the actions of the Foreign Ministry and Hellenic Aid in general, and more particularly on climate change. Within this framework, the Greek HSN Chairmanship promoted ‘climate change and ensuing human security risks’ as its priority. Concurrently, the Foreign Ministry presented a poster exhibition in cooperation with UNEP/MAP entitled “Melting Ice – A Hot Topic?”.

The Foreign Ministry’s Secretary General for International Economic Relations and Development Cooperation and Special Representative for Climate Change, Mr. Theodoros Skylakakis, also took part in a Round Table on “Climate Change Mitigation, Opportunities and Financing”, held on 8 November 2007. Mr. Skylakakis mentioned the potential consequences of climate change, on both the developing world and developed countries, as well as on efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Special two-day debate at the UN General Assembly, 11-12 February 2007, entitled “Addressing climate change: the United Nations and the World at Work”

The Foreign Ministry’s Secretary General for International Economic Relations and Development Cooperation and Special Representative for Climate Change, Mr. Theodoros Skylakakis, participated in this debate and presented the Greek HSN Chairmanship’s priorities.  He stated that the focus of the Greek HSN Chairmanship is the impact of climate change on the human security of vulnerable population groups (children, women and persons fleeing their homes due to climate change). He also mentioned the important role of development assistance and cooperation with a view to providing relief to vulnerable populations hit by climate change.

3rd “Friends of Human Security” Meeting – United Nations, New York, 7 November 2007

Presentation of the Greek HSN Chairmanship by the Permanent Delegation of Greece to the United Nations.

Annual working luncheon of the Human Security Network on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, New York, 28 September 2007

Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. P. Doukas hosted a working luncheon in honour of HSN member-state Ministers within the framework of the UN General Assembly’s proceedings. Attendants included many renowned officials, such as EU Commissioner for External Relations Ms. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, who made the opening speech.   

United Nations Secretary General’s High-Level Event on Climate Change, New York, 24 September 2007

Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis addressed the United Nations Secretary General’s High-Level Event on Climate Change entitled “The Future is in our hands”, setting out the political challenges presented by climate change in her speech. At the same event, the Greek HSN Chairmanship presented its basic priorities in relation to climate change and human security. 

International Conference “Associating Environment, Development, Stability, and Security”, Athens, 15 July 2007

This conference was organised by the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy and was aimed at promoting interregional, cross-scientific and cross-sectoral cooperation with a view to addressing new threats to human security due to climate change.  Presentation of the Greek HSN Chairmanship.   

Conference entitled “Environment and Human Security in Southeast Europe”, 14 June 2007

The conference was organised within the framework of a Pythagoras research centre programme on “Human Security in Southeast Europe”.

World Environment Day 2007

Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis outlined the Greek Chairmanship of the Human Security Network and its priorities in her message on the occasion of World Environment Day.