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Walter Kälin

Swiss lawyer

Jun 30, 2026

12:03
[chuckles]
12:04
Nyet in all languages.
12:07
States were not ready to discuss it within the framework of the UN at that time.
12:13
It was too sensitive for different reasons.
12:16
And it was at that time that Norway and Switzerland stood up and said, "Okay, let's take it out of the UN.
12:24
Let's try to build consensus.
12:28
Let's go to affected regions and discuss with governments, but also with affected communities, and see whether we can try to build cons- reach consensus on what needs to be done, and then we can bring it back to the UN." And this is what the Nansen Initiative did, regional consultations, the outcome, a document that was called, uh, the Nansen Protection Agenda, outlining exactly what could be done, uh, also identifying already existing good practices, a document that was, uh, endorsed by 109 states.

6 MINS LATER

19:27
Um, I guess as you look to the future, how is it possible to both rally international support to enhance preparedness, bolster responses, develop solutions in the case of declining funding and rising climate threats? Um, or I guess, in other words, how can you maintain the relevance of something like the Platform on Disaster Displacement and other international coordination efforts at a time when many countries seem to be going their own way?

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