Climate Change Ambassador Ruleta Camacho Co-Facilitates Critical Gender Session at COP29

(Climate Change Ambassador Ruleta Camacho Co-Facilitates Critical Gender Session at COP29)

Antigua and Barbuda’s Climate Change Ambassador, Ruleta Camacho Thomas, played a pivotal role as a co-facilitator during the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) informal consultations at COP29. Collaborating with Marc-André Lafrance of Canada, Ambassador Camacho Thomas led discussions on the enhanced Lima Work Programme on Gender and its Gender Action Plan (GAP), which remain vital for advancing gender-responsive climate action globally.

The session marked a continuation of the comprehensive review initiated at SBI 60, drawing on reports such as the 2024 Gender Composition Report and the Synthesis Report on the Implementation of Gender-Responsive Climate Policies, Plans, Strategies, and Actions. Ambassador Camacho Thomas and her co-facilitator guided parties in examining the progress achieved, identifying challenges, and exploring solutions to ensure inclusive climate resilience efforts.

During the consultations, several nations and stakeholder groups emphasized the need to address intersecting and compounding vulnerability factors, including age, race, disabilities, sex, and gender diversity. The discussions highlighted varying perspectives on terminology, timelines, and implementation priorities. For example:

Brazil, the US, and Chile called for considering diverse vulnerability factors in climate policies.

The African Group stressed the importance of means of implementation and proposed replacing references to “women and girls in all their diversity” with language reflecting local community contexts.

AOSIS and Pacific SIDS underscored the urgent need for simplified access to climate finance, especially for grassroots women, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities.

Divergent views emerged on the future duration of the work programme, with proposals ranging from 5 years to 10 years with a mid-term review.

As co-facilitator, Ambassador Camacho Thomas emphasized the importance of building consensus on key issues, including financing, human rights, and diversity, to drive the next steps for the work programme.

The outcomes of these discussions will shape the path forward for gender-responsive climate action, reaffirming the significance of intersectionality, human rights, and equitable resource distribution. Antigua and Barbuda continues to demonstrate leadership on the global stage, advocating for transformative and inclusive climate solutions.

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