UN Women welcomes the adoption of the Belém Gender Action Plan and urges its effective implementation

Belém, Brazil - UN Women welcomes today’s outcome at COP30 and, in particular, the adoption of the Belém Gender Action Plan (GAP) as a blueprint for action in the next nine years. This is a crucial step forward that keeps gender equality at the centre of the climate agenda – and is fundamental to delivering tangible results for all women and girls on the front lines of the climate crisis.

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960x640 Foto Raimundo Pacco/COP30
Photo: COP30/Raimundo Pacco

The decision introduces important elements on health, violence against women and girls and protection mechanisms for women environmental defenders, care work, decent work and quality jobs, and socially just transitions. It includes the recognition of the intersectional factors that shape the realities of women with disabilities, Indigenous women, women from rural and remote communities, and women and girls of African descent. 

To ensure its effective success, it is critical that the GAP implementation will be firmly anchored in human rights principles, with adequate and well-defined provisions for means of implementation, including finance, technology and capacity building.

“UN Women stands ready to work with all Parties and relevant stakeholders to bridge the gaps, so the Gender Action Plan becomes a tool for inclusive, effective and sustainable implementation for gender-responsive climate action that benefit women and girls in all their diversity,” said Sarah Hendriks, Director of the Policy, Programme and Intergovernmental Division, UN Women.

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About UNFCCC Gender Action Plan (GAP)

The Gender Action Plan (GAP) is a guidance document that outlines activities across five priority areas – capacity-building, knowledge management and communication; gender balance, participation and women’s leadership; coherence; gender-responsive implementation and means of implementation; and monitoring and reporting – and serves as a framework for implementing gender-responsive climate action and its coherent mainstreaming at all levels. It recognizes that climate change impacts are not gender neutral and that inclusive, equitable responses are essential for effective climate governance – ensuring policies designed for climate mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology, capacity-building and transparency all serve to promote women’s full, meaningful and equal participation and leadership.

About UN Women

UN Women exists to advance women’s rights, gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. As the lead UN entity on gender equality, we shift laws, institutions, social behaviours and services to close the gender gap and build an equal world for all women and girls. We keep the rights of women and girls at the centre of global progress – always, everywhere. Because gender equality is not just what we do. It is who we are.

Gender-responsive climate and environmental action

Across the Rio Conventions, UN Women is working towards greater gender equality and a safer, healthier planet for all.

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