The increasing frequency of natural disasters and extreme weather events is exacerbating social, political and economic challenges, making countries more vulnerable to instability and conflict, and disproportionately affecting women and girls.
The 2025 Global Symposium on Climate Justice and Impacted Populations - Rights in a Changing Climate: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender Equality, co-hosted by UNFPA and the Government of Brazil, will shine a light on the intersections between climate change, sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender-based violence, harmful practices and the pursuit of gender equality.
Held some three decades after two landmark global events, the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the symposium comes at a pivotal moment.
Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge of our time and a major threat to the vision of human-centred sustainable development as outlined in the Programme of Action of the ICPD and reinforced by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. While climate shocks are affecting countries across the globe, low- and middle-income countries are especially vulnerable, as they often lack adequate resources for preparation and response.
Gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights are inextricably linked to climate and must be considered as key components of climate adaptation, action and justice. The obligation to address the gendered impact of climate change is critical to ensuring sustained action to support a world where women and girls can exercise their bodily autonomy and live up to their full potential.
The symposium is as a strategic milestone on the road to the UN Climate Change Conference, COP30, bringing together policymakers, climate and health experts, youth leaders, development practitioners and civil society to:
- Assess gaps in research on the impact of climate change on sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender-based violence and harmful practices.
- Ensure climate policies and climate programmes acknowledge impacts and incorporate actions on sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender equality;
- Showcase effective, rights-based strategies for adaptation and resilience.
- Strengthen partnerships and financing pathways.
- Deliver a renewed call to action to shape global gender-responsive climate negotiations and programming beyond COP30.
Join us in reimaging resilience in a warming world – where climate justice upholds rights, choices and dignity for all. We encourage you to register here. Should you have any questions, please contact us at unfpaclimatesymposium2025@unfpa.org.
