Launch of the Global Recommendations on Nationality and Statelessness in the Context of Climate Change

Date: 22 September 2026
Time: 11:30–12:30 CEST
Location: UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva (MBT 04), and online via Teams

The Global Alliance to End Statelessness is pleased to share the launch of the Global Recommendations on Nationality and Statelessness in the Context of Climate Change, developed jointly by UNHCR and the Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness (PMCS).

As climate change intensifies, its impacts are increasingly intersecting with issues of nationality and statelessness. Stateless people often face heightened vulnerability to climate-related hazards, while displacement, loss of documentation, gaps in birth registration systems, and weaknesses in nationality laws can increase the risk of statelessness. The new Global Recommendations provide practical guidance for governments and other stakeholders to protect the right to a nationality, prevent and reduce statelessness, and safeguard the rights of stateless people in the context of climate change.

Grounded in international law and informed by extensive consultations with governments, experts, affected communities, civil society, and international organizations, the Recommendations are organized around four pillars: identify, protect, reduce, and prevent statelessness. They present nine recommendations aimed at strengthening legal frameworks, civil registration systems, disaster preparedness and response, climate adaptation planning, and human mobility frameworks.

The launch event will present the key findings and recommendations and explore how they can support national, regional, and international efforts to address the growing nexus between climate change, nationality, and statelessness.

To participate please register using this link