“By integrating gender and youth perspectives in our work, we can create more inclusive, resilient, and effective climate policies that address the unique challenges faced by our communities.” These were the opening words of Evans Njewa, Chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group on Climate Change, as he officially launched the Voices of Resilience campaign and webinar aimed at amplifying women’s and youth leadership across LDCs.

As the climate crisis deepens, the world’s poorest and most vulnerable—particularly women and youth in LDCs—continue to bear the brunt of its impacts. Despite this, they remain underrepresented in climate decision-making spaces.

The statistics speak volumes:

• 70% of the world’s poor are women, and 40% of the poorest urban households are female-headed.
• Women make up just 33% of UNFCCC delegates, and only 10% are heads of delegations.
• Youth under 24 account for 35% of the population in LDCs, yet continue to face systemic barriers to participation.
• Only 2.4% of climate-related development assistance targets gender equality as a principal objective.
• Women and girls are 14 times more likely to die in climate disasters and are disproportionately affected by food insecurity, displacement, and gender-based violence.

Against this backdrop, the LDC Group, in partnership with UNIDO and with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), has launched the Voices of Resilience campaign, which runs from 23 July to 12 August 2025. The campaign features storytelling, digital media, and dialogues to spotlight the leadership, innovation, and resilience of women and youth across LDCs.

The centrepiece of the campaign is the Voices of Resilience webinar, held on 23 July 2025, bringing together diverse voices from across the LDCs. Women leaders, youth advocates, national focal points, and development partners shared personal journeys, on-the-ground experiences, and calls for more inclusive climate action.

An important milestone accompanying the campaign is the launch of the LDC Group’s Strategic Framework on Gender Equality, Intergenerational Equity, and the Empowerment of Women and Youth (2025–2030). The framework provides a shared vision and roadmap for embedding gender and youth priorities in climate negotiations, national policies, and programming.

The strategy outlines five key priorities:

• Increasing the representation and leadership of women and youth in climate negotiations
• Strengthening institutional capacity and accountability on gender and equity
• Promoting inclusive leadership and mentorship across generations
• Advancing gender- and youth-responsive climate action
• Expanding access to climate technologies, green jobs, and entrepreneurship

It also sets ambitious, measurable targets, such as increasing women’s representation in LDC delegations to 40% and youth participation to 30% by 2030.

“UNIDO is proud to support women and youth in LDCs who are leading the way in climate action and sustainable industrial transformation,” said Gerswynn McKuur, Industrial Development Officer at UNIDO. “Their resilience and innovation are key to building inclusive, low-carbon futures.”

Winifred Masiko, Uganda’s National Gender Focal Point to the UNFCCC, added: “Inclusive climate action amplifies every voice, empowers every community to thrive, and ensures no one is left behind.”

Md. Fahim Hossain, Chairperson of Bangladesh’s Green Lead Society , emphasised that women and youth are not merely vulnerable communities but a critical source of innovation and resilience. “By practicing green leadership, we can unlock their full potential to build a just and sustainable future,” he said.”

Development partners also underscored their commitment. “The GEF is proud to ensure all our adaptation projects meaningfully advance gender equality and youth empowerment,” said Verona Ancheta Collantes Lebale, Senior Gender Specialist at GEF. “In the LDCs, this is a win-win — investments in women and youth lead to more effective climate outcomes.”

Chikondi Chabvuta, Gender Coordinator of the LDC Group, highlighted the importance of partnerships: “By working together across the LDCs, we create synergies that amplify our impact, unite diverse voices, and ensure no one is left behind.”

The LDC Secretariat also expressed its openness to collaboration and visibility efforts. “We are committed to documenting what’s happening across LDCs and sharing these positive stories with the world to shift the narrative—from one of vulnerability to one of leadership and strength,” said Munalula Kekelwa Yowela, LDC Secretariat Coordinator.

Participants were invited to join the ongoing social media campaign, share their stories, and engage in the lead-up to COP30 and the African Climate Summit. The Secretariat encouraged continued collaboration, stating that a report from the webinar will be shared, with key outcomes informing advocacy messages and future support efforts.

As the campaign continues, one message rings clear: inclusive climate action is not just necessary – it is urgent.

“We are not just calling for climate justice – we are building it from the ground up,” said Chair Njewa. “Every woman, every young person in the LDCs is a climate leader in their own right. It’s time the world recognised and supported that.”