Session Highlights COP27 Outcomes, Promotes Degree Specialisation on the Paris Agreement

On 13 January 2023, UNU-IAS held an event to report on the outcomes of the Sharm el-Sheikh Climate Change Conference (COP27) and provide information for prospective students.

Opening the event, Akio Takemoto (Programme Head, UNU-IAS) outlined the results of COP27 and UNU-IAS contributions to the conference. He highlighted the loss and damage fund that was established to address the impacts of climate change in developing countries. Noting the diversity of COP27 participants, including youth representatives, Dr Takemoto stressed the importance of strengthening synergies between the SDGs, climate change, and biodiversity.

Kanako Morita (Visiting Research Fellow, UNU-IAS; Senior Researcher at the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute) remarked that mitigation, adaptation, and funding had grown in importance, and that financial institutions were also contributing to the newly established fund. She emphasised the need for experts and practitioners to transfer knowledge on climate change adaptation to younger generations.

Kensuke Fukushi (Academic Programme Officer, UNU-IAS/IFI) introduced the UNU-IAS postgraduate degree programmes, noting that students would have opportunities to acquire practical experience through research and fieldwork, and gain unique benefits from studying within the UN system.

Dr Takemoto presented the new UNU-IAS postgraduate degree specialisation on the Paris Agreement, which is due to launch in September 2023. He explained that the aim was to develop future leaders with the technical expertise to implement the Paris Agreement. Prospective students are expected to use the knowledge and skills acquired through the programme in their future work for international organisations, government agencies, and in other settings.

In closing, Dr Morita emphasised that the specialisation on the Paris Agreement was a unique opportunity to learn directly from experts with negotiation experience in international processes, and encouraged participants to apply for the 2023 MSc and PhD programmes.

Please visit the degree programmes page to find out more about application requirements and procedures.