Climate Change, Security, and Climate Diplomacy Department
Webinar Recap โ Romania and Climate Diplomacy: Domestic Risks, European Responsibilities and Opportunities for Cooperation
On October 15, 2026, the Strategic Dialogue for Global Affairs Initiative (SDGAi), in partnership with the Renewable Energy Commission of the Romanian Academy and the Scientific Advisory Council on Climate Change, organised the webinar โRomania and Climate Diplomacy: Domestic Risks, European Responsibilities and Opportunities for Cooperation.โ
The event brought together researchers and experts to explore the intersection of climate change, national security, energy transition, and international cooperation. Through case studies from Romania, Africa, Latin America, and South Asia, the discussion highlighted how climate-related challenges are increasingly shaping security priorities and the need for coordinated responses at national and international levels.
Main Themes and Discussions
The webinar was opened by Dr. Ecaterina Matoi, President of SDGAi, and moderated by Professor Sorin Cheval, Ph.D, researcher at the Romanian National Meteorological Administration (ANM) and Coordinator of the Climate Change, Security, and Climate Diplomacy Department at SDGAi. The discussions examined climate change as a multidimensional security challenge.
Professor Macedon Moldovan, Ph.D, from Transilvania University of Braศov, presented renewable energy solutions developed at Transilvania University of Braศov, highlighting the role of solar technologies and energy communities in advancing the energy transition. Professor Mirela Panait,Ph.D., from Petroleum and Gas University of Ploieศti, explored the impact of climate change on the oil and gas industry, emphasising resilience and flexibility as essential components of energy security. Veronica Toza, Ph.D. student at Babeศ-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, addressed water security as a national security concern, focusing on drought risks in Romania and the need to integrate water-related vulnerabilities into national security strategies. Professor Sorin Cheval examined urban climate risks, stressing the importance of collaborative approaches and locally adapted solutions to strengthen urban resilience.
Turning to international case studies, Dr. Matoi presented the case of Bangladesh, exploring the national security implications of rising sea levels, territorial loss, climate-induced displacement, and the challenges these pose for sovereignty and institutional responses. Valentina Niste examined the effects of El Niรฑo on food security in Brazil, Mexico, and Peru, highlighting how existing socioeconomic vulnerabilities shape the consequences of extreme climate events. Lia Albu analysed climate security vulnerabilities in Chad, illustrating how El Niรฑo-related pressures can exacerbate food insecurity, displacement, and regional instability.
Across the discussions, participants underscored that climate change is no longer solely an environmental issue but an increasingly important factor in national security, economic stability, and international relations. The webinar highlighted the need for evidence-based policies, stronger institutional resilience, and international cooperation to address interconnected climate and security challenges.
Acknowledgements
We extend our sincere gratitude to all speakers for their valuable contributions and to the participants whose engagement enriched the discussion. We particularly thank to the distinguished experts: Professor Macedon Moldovan, Professor Mirela Panait, Professor Sorin Cheval, Veronica Toza, Dr. Ecaterina Matoi, Valentina Niste and Lia Albu for sharing their expertise and perspectives.
The webinar reaffirmed the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue and climate diplomacy in strengthening resilience, informing policy responses, and promoting cooperation in addressing emerging climate-related security risks.
Past Event
Romania and Climate Diplomacy
Domestic Risks, European Responsibilities, and Opportunities for Cooperation
The Strategic Dialogue for Global Affairs Initiative (SDGAi), in partnership with the Renewable Energy Commission of the Romanian Academy and the Scientific Advisory Council on Climate Change, is hosting the academic webinar: “Romania and Climate Diplomacy. Domestic Risks, European Responsibilities, and Cooperation Opportunities”. The virtual event is scheduled for 15 October 2026, from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM (Bucharest time).
The proceedings will be moderated by Professor Sorin Cheval, Ph.D., researcher at the National Meteorological Administration (ANM) and Head of the Climate Change, Security, and Climate Diplomacy Department at SDGAi.
The scientific event is structured into two complementary, multi-level analytical sessions:
- Section 1 โ Energy Transition and Climate Resilience in Europe: Focused on evaluating risk dynamics and strategic solutions within the Romanian and European contexts. Presentations will address the transition toward nearly zero-energy communities, the role of oil and gas corporations in decarbonization, water resource security, and the governance of urban climate risks.
- Section 2 โ Climate and National Security: Three Continents, 3 Risk Equations: Broadens the analytical scope to a global scale, examining the intersection of climate vulnerabilities, socio-economic fragility, and national sovereignty. The assessment features distinct geographical case studies across three continents: Asia (Bangladesh), Latin America (Mexico, Peru, and Brazil), and Africa (Chad/Sahel).
Registration Process:
Attendance is open to the academic community, security experts, diplomats, and public institution representatives. To receive the virtual platform access link (Zoom), interested participants are kindly requested to submit an official registration request via email to: office@sdgainitiative.com.
Event Agenda
Data / Date: 15 Octombrie 2026 / 15 October 2026
Interval orar / Time: 12:30 โ 14:30 (EEST / Bucharest Time)
Moderator: Prof. Univ. Dr. Sorin Cheval (ANM, SDGAi)
| Timp / Time | Lucrare & Activitate / Presentation & Activity | Lectori & Afiliere / Speakers & Affiliation |
| 12:30 – 12:35 | Alocuศiune de deschidere Opening Remarks | Prof. Univ. Dr. Sorin Cheval (National Meteorological Administration / SDGAi) |
| 12:35 – 13:35 | Secศiunea 1: Tranziศie energeticฤ ศi rezilienศฤ climaticฤ รฎn Europa Section 1: Energy Transition and Climate Resilience in Europe | |
| 12:35 – 12:47 | From nearly Zero Energy Buildings to nearly Zero energy Communities | Macedon Moldovan, Ion Visa (Transilvania University of Brasov / Renewable Energy Commission of the Romanian Academy) |
| 12:47 – 12:50 | Sesiune de dezbateri / Q&A Session | Public & Lectori / Audience & Speakers |
| 12:50 – 13:02 | The involvement of oil and gas companies in the energy transition โ a European approach | Mirela Panait (Petroleum-Gas University of Ploiesti / Renewable Energy Commission of the Romanian Academy) |
| 13:02 – 13:05 | Sesiune de dezbateri / Q&A Session | Public & Lectori / Audience & Speakers |
| 13:05 – 13:17 | Water Security and Romania | Veronica Toza (Babes-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca) |
| 13:17 – 13:20 | Sesiune de dezbateri / Q&A Session | Public & Lectori / Audience & Speakers |
| 13:20 – 13:32 | Cities at the Climate Frontline: From Urban Risk to Global Climate Diplomacy | Sorin Cheval (ANM / Scientific Advisory Council on Climate Change / Renewable Energy Commission of the Romanian Academy) |
| 13:32 – 13:35 | Sesiune de dezbateri / Q&A Session | Public & Lectori / Audience & Speakers |
| 13:35 – 14:20 | Secศiunea 2: Clima ศi securitatea naศionalฤ: trei continente, 3 ecuaศii de risc Section 2: Climate and National Security: Three Continents, 3 Risk Equations | |
| 13:35 – 13:47 | Asia: Bangladesh: Climate Displacement and the Future of National Sovereignty | Ecaterina Maศoi, PhD (President, SDGAi) |
| 13:47 – 13:50 | Sesiune de dezbateri / Q&A Session | Public & Lectori / Audience & Speakers |
| 13:50 – 14:02 | America Latinฤ: Latin America: El Niรฑo, Food Security and Climate Vulnerabilities in Mexico, Peru and Brazil | Valentina Maria Niste (Vice-President, SDGAi) |
| 14:02 – 14:05 | Sesiune de dezbateri / Q&A Session | Public & Lectori / Audience & Speakers |
| 14:05 – 14:17 | Africa: Chad: El Niรฑo, Climate Vulnerabilities and the Socio-Economic Fragility of the Sahel | Liana-Adela Albu (Head of the Sahel and Horn of Africa Department, SDGAi) |
| 14:17 – 14:20 | Sesiune de dezbateri / Q&A Session | Public & Lectori / Audience & Speakers |
| 14:20 – 14:30 | Concluzii ศi รฎnchiderea lucrฤrilor Concluding Remarks & Closing of the Day | Prof. Univ. Dr. Sorin Cheval & Dr. Ecaterina Maศoi, Preศedinta SDGAi |
Those interested in pre-registering for the event are welcome to submit their request via the form below:
Pre-registration Form – Romania and Climate Diplomacy Event
Sorin Cheval, Ph.D.
Coordinator of Climate Change, Security, and Climate Diplomacy Department, SDGAi
Dr. Sorin Cheval stands out as a leading figure in climate and environmental sciences, specializing in urban climate dynamics, hydroclimatic analysis, and adaptation strategies. His influential research and collaborative efforts have helped shape scientific understanding of climate change impacts, particularly in Eastern Europe and urban environments.
Dr. Cheval is a senior climate scientist with academic expertise in climatology, natural hazards, urban climate, climate change, and climate services. He holds a Ph.D. in Geography granted by the Romanian Academy, as well as an M.Sc. in Climatology and a B.Sc. in Geography from the University of Bucharest (Romania). He is a Fulbright alumnus of the University of South Carolina, where he was as a visiting researcher at the Natural Hazards Laboratory.
Sorin Cheval works as Senior Researcher at the National Meteorological Administration of Romania and has held senior scientific management positions within the institution, including Director for Applied Meteorology and Scientific Director. In parallel, he is Professor at the โHenri Coandฤโ Air Force Academy and Associate Professor at the University of Bucharest, University Babeศ-Bolyai Cluj-Napoca (Romania), and European School for Management and Technology in Berlin (Germania), where he teaches courses related to meteorology, climatology, climate change policy, and environmental impacts of climate change.
Dr. Cheval has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications, including books and articles indexed in Web of Science, and has contributed to national and international research projects funded by institutions such as the European Commission, the European Space Agency, JPI Climate, and Romanian research agencies. His professional achievements include the Romanian Academy โศtefan Hepitesโ Award, the Professor Bologna Award, the Associate Professor of the Year Award from the University of Bucharest, and the Medal of Honour for Promoting Meteorology from the โHenri Coandฤโ Air Force Academy.