High-Level Panel Discussion Women at the Heart of Climate Action: Bridging Equality and Sustainability.
Climate change is not gender-neutral. Its impacts deepen existing inequalities and disproportionately affect women and girls, particularly in vulnerable communities. Yet women are not only victims — they are powerful agents of change. Their knowledge, leadership, and innovation are essential to achieving an equitable and sustainable transition.
Objectives
- Highlight the interconnection between gender equality and climate resilience
- Share successful women-led experiences from policy, finance, private sector, science, and activism
- Identify mechanisms to scale up women’s participation and leadership in climate decision-making.
Opening
Ms. Sara Aagesen. Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge / Spain
Moderator
Ms. Elena Pita. General Director / Spanish Climate Change Office
Speakers
- Ms. Achala Abeysinghe. Director of Investment Services at the Green Climate Fund (GCF)
- Ms. Andrea Meza. Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification / UNCCD
- Ms. Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim. Chadian environmental activist and geographer /Women’s Rights Activist
- Ms. Alicia Montalvo. Climate Action and Positive Biodiversity Manager (CAF)
- Ms. Mª José Sanz. Scientific Director of the Basque Centre for Climate Change / BC3