Bangkok, 20 November 2024 – Leaders and experts from across Asia and the Pacific gathered at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand to discuss strategies for integrating gender and poverty considerations into climate finance. Organized by the UNDP Climate Finance Network (CFN) project, in collaboration with the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development and UN Women, this interactive side event was among the key highlights of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review.

The session underscored the urgency of addressing the gendered impacts of climate change, presenting frameworks and case studies to promote equity in climate financing. Delegates included representatives from governments, regional and intergovernmental organizations and civil society organizations (CSOs). 

Bridging Gender and Climate Finance Gaps

“Climate change is not gender-neutral; it deepens inequalities and places women and girls at the forefront of vulnerabilities,” emphasized Asad Maken, Regional Public Climate Finance Advisor, UNDP as he presented an overview of climate finance in the Asia-Pacific region. He highlighted that women face risks of extreme poverty if urgent actions, including timely and adequate investments to address climate change, is not taken. The discussion spotlighted startling statistics: globally, only 2.9% of climate-related development finance prioritizes gender equality, and Asia-Pacific women are projected to face poverty rates double the global average under worsening climate conditions.

The event opened with a keynote by H.E. Sharmeen S. Murshid, Honorable Advisor, Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs, Bangladesh. She underscored the Global South’s potential to leverage its strengths, and capitalize on emerging opportunities for gender-responsive climate action. She added, “Let us restrategize within the country with the resources we have and move forward.” Participants were introduced to resources that can help them integrate gender and poverty considerations into climate finance. 

Regional Insights and Innovations

The panel discussion brought together thought leaders and practitioners who shared regional experiences and innovative solutions:

Anette Baleda, Chief of the Policy Development, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), highlighted the importance of legal frameworks to advance gender-responsive climate action. Drawing from the Philippines’ experience, she encouraged other countries to review and improve their policies to ensure gender-responsiveness. “Government institutions must create gender-responsive spaces and mechanisms to drive gender mainstreaming efforts in climate action,” Baleda emphasized.

Tshewang Dorji T., Director of the Environment and Climate Change Division of BIMSTEC, emphasized the need for coordinated regional action, especially in addressing cross-border climate vulnerabilities and reiterated their commitment to integrate gender dimensions across their plans, and programmes. 

Shivaranjani Venkatramani, Climate Finance Specialist from ICIMOD, showcased scalable solutions – public finance management, innovations; and advocacy in policy events such as this - for strengthening gender-responsive climate finance flows in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region.

Aizhan Dzhanaeva, representing the Public Association Women’s Organisation “ALGA” discussed barriers to women’s access to climate finance, including limited women’s participation in decision-making, complexity of international funding mechanisms and the insufficient technical skills, weak coordination and capacity of local organisations to access them. 

Looking Ahead: Peer Learning and Action

Next steps include setting up a peer learning platform, developing institutional strategies to promote gender-responsive finance, sharing findings from case studies, and enhancing regional cooperation to drive impactful policies, leveraging partnership with ongoing regional initiatives such as the EmPower: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies programme jointly implemented by UN Women and the UN Environment Programme that works to increase access of women and marginalized groups to finance, technology and skills for climate-resilient livelihoods. 

Towards Inclusive Climate Solutions

As the Asia-Pacific region grapples with the intertwined challenges of climate change and gender inequalities, events like this reinforce the importance of inclusive governance. “This dialogue reflects our commitment to ongoing efforts to advance gender-responsive climate finance in the region, focusing not just on mobilizing funds, but ensuring accountability to support women and at-risk communities on the ground,” shared Athena Denise Galao, Programme Coordinator, UN Women. 

Stay tuned for updates from the Peer Learning Network and future initiatives under the CFN-UNDP project to ensure climate finance truly leaves no one behind.

About the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review

The Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review marks 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Bringing together leaders and advocates, it reflects on progress, addresses ongoing challenges, and advances regional commitments to gender equality, including in climate action.

For more information, contact: Mamta Kohli (UNDP) - mamta.kohli@undp.org

Athena Denise Galao (UN Women) - athena.galao@unwomen.org