Achieving the goal of gender balance. Technical paper by the secretariat available here>>>
Gender pledge in UNFCCC Conferences
In pursuit of balanced gender distribution across panelists/speakers, side events and exhibits organizers are asked to pledge to the commitment and indicate planned gender distribution during the applications.
The side events and exhibits application manual can be consulted here>>>
The gender composition report is published every year by the Secretariat to support Parties in tracking progress on gender balance to promote a gender-sensitive climate policy.
The report includes two main components: The gender composition of decision-making and technical bodies under UN Climate Change (also known as constituted bodies) as well as national delegations to climate conferences.
The latest report also includes two case studies: Gender balance in UNFCCC side event panels and Gender composition across the Rio Conventions.
📄 Based on the current data:
7 out of 17 constituted bodies reported having achieved the goal of gender balance.
Overall, female representation on constituted bodies averaged 40%, compared with 39% in 2024.
Between 2013 and 2025, female representation has increased in 13 constituted bodies, most significantly in the AC (from 18 to 56 per cent). In contrast, representation of women in the CGE has decreased from 52 to 25 per cent.
At COP 29, CMP 19 and CMA 6 the representation of women increased by 1.8 percentage point (Party Delegates) compared to COP 28, CMP 18 and CMA 5. A similar increase (4.8 percentage points) can be observed in representation of women among heads and deputy heads of delegation.
At SB 62, gender balance was achieved among Party delegates, with 53.2 per cent representation of women (2.2 percentage points higher than at SB 60). Among heads and deputy heads of delegation an increase of 1.6 percentage points in representation of women (to 40.1 per cent) can be observed when compared with SB 60.
Here are some findings highlighted in the case studies featured in the report:
Gender balance in UNFCCC side event panels: steady increase in gender-balanced panels between COP 26 and COP 28 and from SB 56 to SB 62. During this time, they increased from 20 per cent at COP 26 to 39 per cent at COP 29 and from 28 per cent at SB 56 to 53 per cent at SB 62. COP 28, SB 60 and SB 62 had the highest percentage of gender-balanced panels at 49, 50 and 53 per cent respectively.
Gender composition across the Rio Conventions: This case study compares mandates, reporting mechanisms and gender composition data across the three conventions to assess progress and gaps in promoting gender balance.
Consult the latest gender composition report here>>> to know more.
Previous reports included other case studies as:
I) Analysis of speaking times during plenaries and meetings and a review of activities carried out by Mexico (FCCC/CP/2022/3) and by Chile (FCCC/CP/2021/4) to increase the representation of women in leadership positions within the UNFCCC process and in their delegation itself
III) Party delegates having received funding through the trust fund for participation in the UNFCCC process for in-person participation in UNFCCC sessions held between 2013 and 2023; Representatives of admitted observer organizations attending the most recent UNFCCC sessions; and Staff of the secretariat (FCCC/CP/2025/4).
More information on the election and appointment of members for positions on bodies under the Convention, Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement is constantly updated here>>>
