Civil society shapes a localised road map for confronting climate change in Asia

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 JULY 2026 —

The adoption of the Belém Gender Action Plan (GAP) at the 30th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) has marked a significant milestone for gender-responsive climate action, with a new plan outlining practical actions to integrate gender equality into climate policies and programmes from 2026-2034. The plan aims to strengthen women's leadership, build institutional capacity and knowledge, mobilise gender-responsive climate finance, and improve monitoring and accountability. However, the success of the Belém GAP will depend on how countries implement it across diverse regional, national, and local contexts.

A key message that emerged from the dialogue was that climate action is more effective when it is shaped by the people living its realities. According to Robie Halip, Executive Director of the Right Energy Partnership with Indigenous Peoples (REP), "Climate action cannot continue with a top-down approach. It must begin from the front lines, where the communities most affected are already leading solutions." Indigenous Peoples also emphasised the importance of respecting their right to determine their own development priorities and drawing on their knowledge and leadership to achieve more effective and just climate action. Pratima Gurung, President of the National Indigenous Disabled Women Association Nepal (NIDWAN), highlighted that persons with disabilities are at greater risks during disasters and are often excluded from climate and disaster planning.

In Malaysia, the implementation of the Belém GAP is expected to have a significant impact on the country's climate change efforts. The Malaysian government has been actively involved in international climate change negotiations and has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. The Belém GAP is expected to provide a framework for the government to integrate gender equality into its climate policies and programmes. However, details on how the plan will be implemented in Malaysia are not yet available. The Malaysian market is expected to be impacted by the implementation of the Belém GAP, particularly in sectors such as energy, transportation, and agriculture, which are critical to the country's economy.

The sector-specific implications of the Belém GAP are significant, with a focus on strengthening women's leadership and mobilising gender-responsive climate finance. According to Sai Racherla, Deputy Executive Director of Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW), "Through this road map, we envision women in all their diversity leading climate action and having access to the financing needed to turn commitments into action." The road map proposes making funding more accessible, transparent, long-term, flexible, and accountable, with dedicated resources for front-line organisations and communities that often face barriers to accessing finance. Companies operating in Malaysia, particularly those in the energy and transportation sectors, are expected to be impacted by the implementation of the Belém GAP, with a focus on gender-responsive climate finance and community-led accountability systems.

The outlook for the implementation of the Belém GAP in Malaysia is positive, with a growing recognition of the importance of gender-responsive climate action. The Malaysian government has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and has been actively involved in international climate change negotiations. However, the success of the Belém GAP will depend on how it is implemented across diverse regional, national, and local contexts. Further consultations and validation with stakeholders across the region are expected to take place before the road map is launched in the first quarter of 2027. Details on the specific actions that will be taken to implement the Belém GAP in Malaysia are not yet available, but it is expected that the plan will provide a framework for the government to integrate gender equality into its climate policies and programmes.