The increasing frequency of natural disasters and extreme weather events is exacerbating social, political and economic challenges, making countries more vulnerable to instability and conflict, and disproportionately affecting women and girls.
The 2025 Global Symposium on Climate Justice and Impacted Populations - Rights in a Changing Climate: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender Equality, co-hosted by UNFPA and the Government of Brazil, shined a light on the intersections between
climate change,
sexual and reproductive health and rights,
gender-based violence, harmful practices and the pursuit of
gender equality.
Held some three decades after two landmark global events, the
International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the symposium came at a pivotal moment.
Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge of our time and a major threat to the vision of human-centred sustainable development as outlined in the
Programme of Action of the ICPD and reinforced by the
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. While climate shocks are affecting countries across the globe, low- and middle-income countries are especially vulnerable, as they often lack adequate resources for preparation and response.
Gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights are
inextricably linked to climate and must be considered as key components of climate adaptation, action and justice. The obligation to address the gendered impact of climate change is critical to ensuring sustained action to support a world where women and girls can exercise their
bodily autonomy and live up to their full potential.
The symposium was as a strategic milestone on the road to the UN Climate Change Conference,
COP30, bringing together policymakers, climate and health experts,
youth leaders, development practitioners and civil society to:
Relive the symposium through recordings, presentations and the
Brasilia Call to Action and join us in reimaging resilience in a warming world – where climate justice upholds rights, choices and dignity for all.
