Climate groups unveil Asia road map for gender-responsive 2030 climate plans
Civil society groups and rights holders have co-designed a regional road map to guide the implementation of the United Nations’ Belém Gender Action Plan (GAP) across Asia through 2034.
Source: Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women · July 27, 2026 at 11:00 PM · AI-assisted report
Single-source
KUALA LUMPUR, 28 JULY 2026 —
Civil society groups and rights holders have co-designed a regional road map to guide the implementation of the United Nations’ Belém Gender Action Plan (GAP) across Asia through 2034.
Market Impact
The road map, developed at a regional workshop in late 2024, sets out concrete actions for governments to integrate gender equality into national climate policies. Proposed measures include formal seats for civil society in national planning ministries, cross-ministerial coordination on climate, disaster risk reduction, health and education, and climate finance that is more accessible to front-line organisations.
“Climate action cannot continue with a top-down approach,” said Robie Halip, Executive Director of the Right Energy Partnership with Indigenous Peoples (REP). “Women, Indigenous Peoples, youth and persons with disabilities must be recognised as rights holders and decision-makers from the start.”
Indigenous leaders stressed that their right to self-determination and traditional knowledge must underpin climate action. “Respecting Indigenous Peoples’ priorities and leadership leads to more effective and just climate solutions,” they said.
Persons with disabilities face disproportionate risks during disasters, with mortality rates two to four times higher than the general population, yet remain excluded from planning, according to Pratima Gurung, President of the National Indigenous Disabled Women Association Nepal (NIDWAN).
Participants called for dedicated resources for front-line groups, long-term and flexible funding, and monitoring systems that combine scientific data with Indigenous knowledge. They also urged stronger accountability mechanisms to track progress on gender-responsive climate commitments.
The road map is the first phase of a co-design process led by women’s rights organisations, Indigenous groups, youth leaders and development partners. After further regional consultations, it is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2027 at the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development.
“Through this road map, we envision women in all their diversity leading climate action and accessing the financing needed to turn commitments into action,” said Sai Racherla, Deputy Executive Director of the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW).
The workshop followed a partnership dialogue between civil society and development partners, where locally led climate initiatives were presented and collaboration opportunities explored. The process was co-organised under the EmPower: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies programme, implemented by UN Women and UNEP with support from the governments of Germany, New Zealand, Sweden and Switzerland, alongside ARROW, REP and regional civil society networks.