Climate Change and Its Security Implications

International Academic Seminaron
 “Climate Change and Its Security Implications”
Between 24 – 27 March, 2013
at Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, Bangkok

1.    Rationale
    The implication of Climate Change varies significantly from one region of the world to another, but the Asia/Pacific region has recently experienced significant adverse consequences.

     Existing challenges to human security in the Asia/Pacific region have been and may continue to be significantly exacerbated by the broad range of impacts brought about by climate change. Chronic food and water insecurity,and epidemic diseases have impeded economic development in some nations, while degraded landscapes and inundation of populated areas by severe flood together with rising seawater level have ultimately displaced millions of individuals forcing both intra-state and inter-state migration. The implications of such challenges to human security are difficult to anticipate. There is currently little awareness of the implications on many challenges such as regional management frameworks for addressing the climate change-induced security, and migration issue.

     The implications of climate change disasters relating to Non-Traditional Security Threats have continued to increase both in the magnitude and frequency, and it is likely to become more severe over time. Large-scale disasters have occurred continuously and unavoidably damaging the economy and society as well as the lives of the people across the globe. At the same time disasters can also affect the status of Government as well as the security of the countries around the world.

     The international community is well aware of the consequences of disasters and has jointly established a cooperation mechanism for managing disasters, such as the establishment of the United Nations Framework convention on Climate Change: UNFCCC. The establishment of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) that established ASEAN agreement on disaster management and emergency response: (AADME), and the establishment of ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre). However, the mechanisms to prevent and resolve issues relating to international disasters still need to further develop on a continuous basis to be more effective.
    The National Defence Studies Institute, Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters is fully aware of the significant effects of Climate Change and Its impact on the Cooperative Security in International Arena and has therefore organized the international Academic Seminar on “Climate Change and Its Security Implications” to supplement knowledge and find ways to enhance the security for international cooperation that can be substantially applied within the region.


2.    Objectives
2.1.    To enhance knowledge and exchange ideas and find ways to strengthen Security Cooperation at the international level to handle climate change and natural disasters.
2.2.    To strengthen cooperation in international security, including strengthening the coordination and exchange of information between agencies in the Asia – Pacific region and international organizations that may benefit collaboration and result in effective disaster management procedures.
2.3.    Provide the participants with advanced useful knowledge that may be applied in operations for useful practice.

3.    Procedures.
3.1.    The International Academic Seminar (per schedule attached).

3.1.1.    Sunday, 24-March-2013:
P.M.        Overseas Participants check in at The Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel
            (199 SukhumvitSoi 22, Bangkok 10110, Thailand)
Tel: +66 (0) 2261 9000 Fax: +66 (0) 2261 9530-4
1800    -2000    Welcome Reception hosted by General ChusakMeksuwan,
Commanding General of National Defence Studies Institute(NDSI)
- Venue : Uncle Ho Room, floor 4
- Dress : Long – Sleeves Casual

3.1.2.    Monday, 25-March-2013:
- Venue : Rainbow Conference Room, floor 5
      - Dress : Long – Sleeves Uniform/ Business Suit With Tie
0800 – 0930    Registration
0930 – 1000    Opening Ceremony
    Welcome Statement by Chief of Defence Forces/Representative
1000 – 1040    Group Photo/Coffee Break
1040 – 1130    Keynote Address on “Climate Change as Global and Regional Strategic Challenges” byDr. Smith Thammasaroj, Chairman, Foundation of National Disaster Warning Council
1130 – 1200    Session I :Presentation the results of the Conference on "Disaster Management and International Community Cooperation in dealing with the Challenges and the Consequences of Water Crisis" ByMajor GeneralChaiananJantakananuruk, Director of Strategic Studies Center
1200 – 1330    Lunchat Park View Coffee Shop, ground floor
1330     Session II:Plenary Discussion on “Climate Change and Natural Disaster as the 21 St Century Challenges (Country Experiences and Prospects for Cooperation)
1330 – 1340    Opening the Session by Chairperson :Major General SurasitThanadtang, Deputy Superintendent of National DefenceCollege (NDC)
1340 – 1425     1stPresentation:“China’s Experiences and Prospects for Cooperation”byAsist. Prof. Dr. Wei Liang, The China Institute of Contemporary International Relation, China
1425 – 1445    Coffee Break
1445 – 1530    2Nd Presentation “US’s Experiences and Prospects for Cooperation” byMr.Andrew R.Benziger, Chief Readiness and Contingency Operations, US Army Corps of Engineer, Pacific Ocean Division
1545 – 1630     Suggestion by Discussant:Asist.Prof.Dr. AnondSnidvongs Na Ayuthaya, Director of the Southeast Asia START Regional Center
            Discussion/ Q & A
1700    – 2000    Reception Hosted by Chief of Defence Forces /Representative
        - Venue : Terrace floor 9
- Dress : Long-Sleeves Casual

3.1.3.    Tuesday, 26-March-2013:
    - Venue : Rainbow Conference Room, floor 5
- Dress : Long – sleeves uniform / Business suit with tie)
0830    Session III :Plenary Discussion on “Climate Change and Its Security Implications  : Ways to Enhance the Cooperation”
           0830-0840        Opening the Session by Chairperson:LieutenantGeneralWisithJaengprajak
0840 – 0925    1StPresentation :“Enhancing the National and Regional Cooperation”
by Colonel Takamatsu Minoru, Senior Researcher, National Institute for Defense Studies, Japan
0925 – 0945    Coffee Break
0945 – 1030    2NdPresentation:“Enhancing the International Community Cooperation” by Yang RaziliKassim, Senior Fellow, Rajaratnam School ofInternational Studies, Singapore
1030 – 1115   Suggestion by Discussant: Asist.Prof.Dr.TavidaKamolvej, Associate Dean for Academic Affair, Political Science Faculty, Thammasat University, Thailand/Advisor to Thailand’s National Disaster Warning Center.
            Discussion / Q & A
1115 – 1140Concluding Statement byMajor General ChaiananJantakananuruk, Director of Strategic Studies Center


1140 – 1200 Closing Ceremony
    Closing Remarks by Chief of Defence Forces /Representative
1200 – 1300    Lunch at Park View Coffee Shop, ground floor
Afternoon    Grand Palace Tour (Dress : Casual)

3.1.4 Wednesday, 27-March-2013:
Morning & Afternoon:  Overseas Participants Departure

3.2.    Public Relations
3.2.1.    Prior to The Seminar: Release the International Academic Seminar Schedule to various media channels to all target audience including both inside and outside the Military,  Ambassadors and DefenceAttache, members of the media and the public.
3.2.2.    During theSeminar :Press Release, Interviews, and recording of the seminar.
3.2.3.    After the Seminar : Releases the outcome from the seminar to the media.
3.2.4.    Evaluation: From the summary of the seminar and from the participants
3.2.5.    After Seminar Review :Conduct the after seminar review and submit the conclusion of the International Academic Seminar to the Commanding General, and distribute the summary to relevant agencies for further consideration and usage.

4.    Participants: The participants include representatives from academic network ofNDSI, Ambassadors to Thailand, Military Attaches / Representatives from Embassies, ASEAN Defence Ministers, ASEAN’s Dialogue Partner Nations, Government Agencies, Civil Society Organizations, Academics, members of the media both domestic and international totaling approximately 240 persons as follows:
4.1.    Foreigners, Totaling 100 Persons Include
4.1.1.    Representatives from the ASEAN countries and China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, The United States.
4.1.2.    Representative from Defence Force of ASEAN’s member
4.1.3.    International organizations:UNESCO, EU, UN ASEAN Secretary Office, ESCAP, UNFAO, UNOCHA.
4.1.4.    Civil Society Organizations: ADPC, Asia - Pacific Refugee, Cuddutisa (Burma), ECHA (European Community Humanitarian Aid, HDF (Human Development Foundation), Rockefeller Foundation, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung
4.2.    Local Participants, Totaling 140 Persons Include
4.2.1.    Government Agencies: Representatives fromMOD, Office of the Permanent Secretary of MOD, RTARF HQ, RTA, RTN, RTAF, Royal Thai Police, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Bangkok,. National Security Council, National Intelligence Agency,

the Office of The National Economic and Social Development, Department of Meteorology, Department of Irrigation, Department of Mineral Resources, Department of Public Relations, etc.
4.2.2.    Education Institutions:Chulalongkorn University, Thammasat University, Mahidol University, Rangsit University, Ramkhamhaenguniversity, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, etc.
4.2.3.    State Enterprises: The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, The Communications Authority of Thailand, The Port Authority of Thailand, Airports Authority of Thailand, Mass ransit Authority of Thailand, PTTEP (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Banchakpetroleum Public Company Limited.
4.2.4.    Civil Society Organizations: The National Disaster Warning Foundation, Ruamkatanyu Foundation, etc.
4.2.5.    Media:Ttvs Channel 3, Channel 5, Channel 7, Channel 9, Channel 11, Thai Pbs, Tnn.
4.2.6.    Others: The National Defence College Think Tank, Chai Pattana Foundation, Hospitals, etc.

5.    Budget:NDSI, RTARF’s Budget

6.    Dates: 24 – 27 March, 2013

7.    Venue: The Imperial Queen's Park Hotel, Bangkok

8.    Responsible Unit:NDSI, RTARF

9.    Expected Outcome:
9.1.    Relevant government agencies, private sector and civil society can take relevant cooperation guidance to support the works toward managing the national security, climate change and natural disasters in the local/international community.
9.2.    The relevant agencies can align their understanding for better relationships and build on networking and sharing of their knowledge and experience for effective and efficient future cooperation.
9.3.    Ability to compile the summary of the outcome of the International Academic Seminar to the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM).
9.4.    Human resource working on disaster management issues can gain knowledge and experience from participating in an international academic seminar, which is a key part in the capacity building and development for the Royal Thai Armed Forces personnel towards acceptable standards at the national, regional and international levels.

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4 March, 2013

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 Program of Climate Change and Its Security Implications (25.27 kB 2013-03-10 12:07:39)