Blog Remembering Salma Kadry: Champion for climate, peace and security
We mourn the passing of our colleague Salma Kadry, who always put people first in her work as a climate, peace, and security specialist with the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT and CGIAR. Her contributions were fundamental in representing the Middle East and North Africa in climate security science and policy.
Salma’s work focused on two important, cross-cutting themes: climate change and gender. Building on her background in political studies and experience at the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding, Salma leveraged capacity-building, evidence, and policy advocacy for inclusive responses to climate risks.
Building a Climate Security Hub for the MENA region
Salma had a fundamental role in establishing the CGIAR’s Middle East and North Africa Security Hub in her home city of Cairo. Hosted by ICARDA, this is a space for regional partners and experts across CGIAR to collaborate around climate security issues and bridge the science-policy interface.
Most recently, Salma was awarded a project on Community-Led Innovation in the Face of Overlapping Crises in the MENA Region.
Salma Kadry
Climate, Peace, and Security SpecialistRepresenting CGIAR at the United Nations
In 2023, Salma was invited to address the UN Security Council on the climate, peace and security agenda, marking a historic first for the CGIAR. In her briefing (which can be accessed in full here), she stressed how climate risks destabilize food, water, and energy systems, specifically for the Arab region.
“If we don’t step up to the magnitude of the climate crisis – a warming climate will put my generation and future ones right in the face of multiplying dangers and insecurities.”
Salma’s recommendations focused on ensuring that resilience efforts are equitable: taking into account local networks, grassroots innovation, youth-, and gender-responsive climate finance.
A legacy of commitment and kindness
Those who knew Salma recognize her warmth and resilience in the face of challenges. She is remembered as “a brilliant woman and a real fighter”, “empathetic and thoughtful”, and “shining light”, who through gentleness and creativity made work both more personal and meaningful. Colleagues in Cairo recall her patiently tutoring Arabic, or organizing a weekend visit to an organic farm, community kitchen, and art workshop.
Salma was a talented artist, sharing beautiful watercolors (her Instagram: @_artofgiving). In the spirit of generosity that defined her, Salma donated the full proceeds from her artwork (see an example below) to the Baheya Foundation, supporting breast cancer care in Egypt.
The Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT extends its deepest condolences to Salma’s family, friends, and all who mourn her loss.
