23rd July 2025 – 02:00 – 3:30 CEST

Over half a billion women across Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are wading through the climate crisis every single day. They are not only at the front-line of its impacts, but they are also the backbone of our resilience. Yet too often, their voices are unheard, their leadership overlooked, and their potential underfunded. We cannot afford to stay silent. It does not matter how many times we raise these issues – what matters is that they are finally addressed.

LDCs contribute the least to global emissions yet face the most severe climate impacts. Women walk long distances to fetch water and wood, losing precious productive hours. Youth and women keep communities fed, cared for, and connected to their land. They are the frontline responders to floods, droughts, and rising costs of living. Financing women and youth is not charity – it is financing survival, sustainability, and the local solutions we need for the climate crisis.

However, too many barriers continue to shut women and youth out of critical climate finance and decision-making. From cultural norms and limited access to education, to lack of collateral and exclusion from formal networks. Women-led and youth-led businesses are constantly left out of key climate investment opportunities. Many lack support to develop bankable proposals or navigate complex institutional requirements. There are still too few women in leadership, and too little investment in their capacity.

The LDC Group has taken steps forward. We are doing something. 

We have developed a Strategic Framework on Gender and Youth Strategy for 2025–2030 to promote meaningful empowerment of women and youth, but we urgently need the resources – the means of implementation – to deliver it. COP29’s extension of the Gender Work Programme for another ten years provides an opportunity to scale real – responsive action. However, I have always said this, symbolic commitments will not protect frontline communities, implementation will. 

Additionally, we have capacity-building initiatives preparing young negotiators and climate advocates. Scaling this support is part of the strategic framework. Without enhanced support, this progress risks stalling. 

As we move forward searching for solutions, we must always remember that as LDCs, we need tailored, context-specific solutions, not one-size-fits-all approaches.

Women and youth must be seen as partners and leaders in planning and policy, not just beneficiaries of programmes. LDCs are working to ensure our local plans and strategies are gender- and youth-responsive. Access to green jobs, finance, and innovation must be intentional and inclusive. Too often, these opportunities are reserved for those who already have access. This must change and together we will.

Climate finance systems must also change. Funders should adopt gender-lens and equity-based funding models. Financial institutions need to design flexible products tailored for women and youth. LDCs require support to build ecosystems that link small enterprises to capital, mentorship, and markets. This is not about special treatment – this is about recognising market failure, systemic exclusion, inequality and correcting it.

Women and youth must also be included in planning and implementing green infrastructure – from day one. Their knowledge and leadership must shape how we build, rebuild our devastated communities due to disasters and where we invest in the future we want. Procurement, consultations, and employment opportunities must reflect the diversity of our populations. Reserved quotas and early-stage capacity building are practical steps toward inclusive outcomes.

If we are serious about equity, then we must be serious about measurement. The LDC Group supports the collection of disaggregated data by gender, age, and region into project design, monitoring, and finance frameworks. We need indicators that speak to equity, not just efficiency. Without this, we cannot know whether we are truly delivering for the most vulnerable.

Today’s webinar is also a celebration, and a launch. I am proud to mark the beginning of the Gender and Youth Social Media Campaign #Voices of Resilience – a platform to amplify the voices of women and youth from LDCs, share stories, strengthen networks, and crowdsource solutions ahead of COP30. I am also delighted to learn the campaign will adjourn on 12th August, which is International Youth Day. I know the stories are powerful. They remind us that action is possible, that leadership is diverse, and that resilience is already alive in our communities.

Indeed, this conversation is timely. As you know, we are weeks away from the September African Climate Summit and on the road to COP30. Let us use this moment to insist on the inclusion of women and youth, not as a side issue, but as central to climate justice. 

The LDC Group stands firmly in support of your work, your leadership, and your vision. Because when women and youth are empowered, our nations are stronger, and our future is more sustainable.

Finally, thank you to the UNIDO Team, the GEF, All speakers, Participants, Core Team of Advisors, my support team and everyone involved in this process. 

End