Speaker: Dr Iruthisham Adam

In a time of increased discourse surrounding the existential threat faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as a result of climate insecurity, this event sets out to develop a more nuanced understanding of identity and statehood in these countries. The event will explore both how identity may be challenged by the threat of having to relocate, but also the strength of the identity of SIDS as global climate pioneers and leaders in the pursuit of adaptation and mitigation.

Her Excellency Dr Iruthisham Adam, High Commissioner of the Maldives to the United Kingdom, will deliver a keynote on the intersection of climate change, diaspora, and identity, particularly from the perspective of Small Island Developing States.

This will be followed by a panel discussion on the topic of ‘Submerged Identity’ featuring Dr Hillary Briffa (Senior Lecturer in National Security studies and convenor of the MA module Small States and International Security) and PhD researcher Rhiannon Emm (whose thesis aims to explicate the political/rhetorical power of ideas of home in a way that IR theory has failed to do thus far). The discussion will be moderated by Charlie Ackland, a 3rd year International Relations student in the Department of War Studies.

About the speaker

Dr Adam is a Former Minister and a career diplomat of over 25 years, having served in key diplomatic posts in London, New York, and Geneva. During her ambassadorship to the UN Office and WTO in Geneva (2009- 2014), Dr Adam held other posts as the first Ambassador of Maldives to Germany, Italy, and Turkey and as the Ambassador to Switzerland. She served as the Vice President of the UN Human Rights Council in 2013 and the Vice Chairperson of the UN Conferences on the International Convention Against Torture in 2010.

Dr Adam advanced in her diplomatic career and became a champion of empowered women, lead negotiator, and influential diplomat on women and child rights, rights of the disabled, international human rights issues, and a strong voice for small states' vulnerability. She led the negotiations for Women's Economic and Political Empowerment and the Protocol to the Convention on Child Rights. She led resolutions on protecting Human Rights and Climate Change, the Environment Protection at HRC, and establishing a Trust Fund for Small States and LDCs. She contributed to the effective functioning of the UN HRC mechanisms.

The event is sponsored by the Centre for Grand Strategy’s Climate and International Order programme, in partnership with King’s Think Tank.