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However, while there are instances where individuals or households in the region are forcibly displaced or leave because they feel a decent life is no longer possible, migration is more than just a response to an unfolding crisis. "Under certain conditions, if well managed, migration can be a proactive livelihood diversification strategy that contributes to climate adaptation," said Ms Wong. "Migration itself also contributes to social, cultural and economic changes in rural parts of NENA countries, which have important implications for the management of natural resources, agricultural livelihoods and food security, and ultimately for the future resilience of rural households."

Fostering resilient futures in the context of climate mobility

The presentation was followed by a lively panel discussion among representatives of NENA countries, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and youth, who shared their perspectives on how to facilitate positive transformation towards more resilient, inclusive and sustainable futures in the context of climate mobility.

Maha Al-Zu'bi, from the International Water Management Institute, brought examples of successful projects in Jordan and Egypt, showing the importance of addressing critical drivers for climate change – like water availability for agriculture – in shoring up the climate resilience of communities.

Hind Bennani Aissaoui, Environment and Climate Change Specialist at IOM's Regional Office for Central and West Africa, also stressed that integrated approaches – such as nature-based solutions and agroecology – are needed to facilitate effective adaptation in the context of agricultural livelihoods. She noted that in Central and West Africa, many migrants work in the agriculture sector, including in rural, urban and peri-urban areas, and highlighted that while labour migrants are often overlooked in debates about climate-related mobility, their protection is also important.

Reflecting on experiences from Iraq, Salah El Hajj Hassan, FAO Representative in Iraq, noted the role of partnerships in implementing projects on the ground that build sustainable livelihoods that are climate resilient. Panelists agreed that partnerships and local participation are key for the design and implementation of climate and agriculture policies and interventions that effectively address rural concerns.

From a youth perspective, Balkis Chaabane and Vinkha Khairunnisa, of the UN Major Group for Children and Youth (MYCP), called for meaningful youth inclusion in decision-making. They added that young people from rural and agricultural communities should be meaningfully included in policy debates and decisions as they can contribute to shaping solutions to pressing challenges such as youth unemployment in agriculture.

The reflections and discussions between the panelists and the audience enriched the discourse, offering valuable perspectives that deepened understanding of the climate-migration-adaptation nexus in the NENA region. This collaborative exchange underscores the importance of diverse voices in shaping effective and sustainable strategies to address the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change in one of the world’s most vulnerable areas.

Article oiginally published on the website of the FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa.

> Read the FAO study: Climate change, migration and rural adaptation in the Near East and North Africa region

Contacts:

Giorgia Prati
Migration and Rural Development Specialist
[email protected]

Theresa Wong
Natural Resources Officer
[email protected]