The AU’s Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) Department, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), held a retreat in Addis Ababa from 9-11 May. The Interdepartmental Retreat on the Climate Change, Peace, and Security Nexus also aimed to contribute to the methodology for developing the Common African Position (CAP) on climate change, peace and security. The retreat brought together AU departments, Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms, research organisations and development partners to explore the intricate links between climate change, peace and security in Africa. Presentations were made by Conflict Management Director Dr. Alhadji Sarjoh Bah; Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Director Harsen Nyambe; German Special Envoy for International Climate Policy H.E. Amb. Jennifer Lee Morgan; and H.E. Amb. Anthony Agotha: Ambassador at Large – Special Envoy for Climate and Environment, European External Action Service. Other speakers included Amb. Mohamed Nasr, Director of Climate, Environment and Sustainable Development at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and COP27 Lead Negotiator; and Amb. Ahmed Abdel-Latif, Director-General, Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding. Amb. Sinead Walsh, Director, Climate Change, Irish Department of Foreign Affairs; Myan Tantawy, Climate, Peace and Security, United Arab Emirates Permanent Mission to the United Nations (New York) and COP28 Presidency; and Dr Seth Osafo, Legal Adviser to the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change, also addressed delegates. The retreat acknowledged the importance of cooperation between PAPS and ARBE and identified key areas for action, including the development of a CAP to provide a unified approach to addressing the climate-peace-security nexus. In addition, a collaborative framework will be established through the AU Climate Security Cluster to effectively address cascading climate security risks in Africa. The CAP will be developed through consultations in the AU’s five regions. PAPS and ARBE will convene regional consultation workshops to inform the CAP. It is anticipated that the AU will present the CAP at COP29 in Azerbaijan in November 2024. In March 2025, a workshop of climate security experts and partners will be held to develop a comprehensive African Strategy and Action Plan on the Climate Change, Peace and Security Nexus.