Scoping the Analytical Implications of Climate Change and Extreme Events for National Security Special Meeting

James Appathurai was appointed to Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges in September 2021. As DASG, he works on policy development and implementation in the fields of Emerging and Disruptive Technologies, cyber security, counter-terrorism, the security implications of climate change, and hybrid defence. Mr. Appathurai previously served as DASG for Political Affairs and Security Policy, as well as Special Representative to Central Asia and the Caucasus. He was NATO’s Spokesperson from 2004 to 2010. He served as Deputy Head and Senior Planning Officer in the Policy Planning and Speechwriting Section of NATO’s Political Affairs Division from 1998 to 2004. He served in the Canadian Defence Department from 1994 to 1998.

Brad Archer has extensive experience working on climate change, renewable energy and energy market issues. He joined the Climate Change Authority in November 2018. Previously, he was head of the International Climate Change and Energy Innovation Division in the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy, where his responsibilities included advising on clean energy innovation, Australia’s greenhouse gas inventory, and international climate change policy. Brad has been working on climate change policies for the Australian Government since early 2011. Prior to this he worked on a range of issues in the Treasury, which he joined in 1991. Brad has qualifications in economics and information management.

Dave Harden is the Chief Executive Officer of Q2 Impact, a firm that leverages talent, technology, and capital to help solve some of the world’s complex problems. Working with the private sector, local communities, and governments, the Q2 Impact seeks to promote trade and investment, advance security and stability, develop economic opportunity, and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance at home and abroad.

Before launching Q2 Impact, Mr. Harden was the founder and Managing Director The Georgetown Strategy Group.

In May of 2019, President Trump awarded Mr. Harden the Presidential Award for Distinguished Service, the highest award in the Foreign Service, for “sustained extraordinary accomplishment in the conduct of the foreign policy.” In 2016, President Obama nominated and the Senate confirmed Mr. Harden to serve as the Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance. In that capacity, Mr. Harden led a bureau focused on global crisis response and political transition with an annual budget of $4.8 billion and a staff of nearly 1,200. Mr. Harden spearheaded all USAID efforts to respond to global crises and stabilization efforts – including responses in Haiti, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, the West Bank/Gaza, and Yemen.

Prior to his Senate confirmation, Mr. Harden was a Minister Counselor in the career Senior Foreign Service. Mr. Harden served 17 years overseas in the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia, including as Minister Counselor for Yemen, Mission Director in the West Bank and Gaza, and Deputy Mission Director in Iraq. Mr. Harden also served for three years as Senior Advisor to President Obama’s Special Envoy for Middle East Peace. In September 2011, Mr. Harden helped reopen the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli and established the first USAID presence in Libya. Prior to senior management, Mr. Harden was the Regional Legal Advisor in South Asia and Central Asia from 1999-2005. In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Mr. Harden developed outreach programs to Muslim clerics in Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

Mr. Harden also publishes articles, speaks at events, and appears on national and international television as a commentator on politics, economics, national security, and climate change.

Mr. Harden was a Director on the Board of Kids4Peace, an interfaith youth organization determined to build a better world from 2019-2020.