The 15^th International Conference of Ombudsman Institutions for the Armed Forces (ICOAF) centered on the impact of climate change on military operations, offering ombuds delegates a platform to discuss how climate-driven challenges have transformed military roles and operational mandates. Key topics included strategies to minimize environmental footprints, improve preparedness for climate-related disasters, and safeguard the rights and well-being of service members as militaries adapted to new demands.

Building on previous discussions, this year’s ICOAF aimed to enhance understanding of climate-related security issues while also addressing cross-cutting themes such as mental health within the armed forces and reflections on the geopolitical shifts resulting from the war in Ukraine. The conference facilitated the exchange of insights and best practices, establishing a collaborative framework for ombuds institutions to tackle the evolving challenges climate change presents to the security sector.