COP29 – Only 8 out of 78 world leaders attending are women
12 November 2024 – Women and girls bear the brunt of the climate crisis and often design the solutions, yet only 8 out of the 78 world leaders participating in COP29 are women: while the Conference of Parties (COP) strives to be an inclusive summit, the negotiation table remains far from diverse.
Delegations at the United Nations’ Framework Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) are consistently increasing in numbers, but women’s representation has stagnated and even decreased. At COP28 in 2023, women were 15 out of the 133 world leaders and only 34% of national delegates, with a mere 2% of delegations having a gender balance in their ranks. These numbers have remained relatively unchanged over the past decade, highlighting ongoing challenges in achieving gender parity in climate negotiations.
The underrepresentation of women leaders at the top table of COP29 is mirrored across all levels of climate decision-making. Yet, evidence clearly show that women amplify solutions and drive adaptation initiatives around the globe, including with innovative agricultural practises or water management techniques. Women’s knowledge and perspective increase communities’ resilience and should have a seat – and a saying – at the negotiation table.
Read and download the full press below:
COP29: Only 8 out of 78 world leaders attending are women
CARE’s COP29 Press Release on Women Leaders’ Participation