28 October 2014: The UNFCCC Secretariat has published a report on the gender composition of constituted bodies established under the Convention and its Kyoto Protocol. The report (FCCC/CP/2014/7) was mandated by the 18th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 18) to the UNFCCC.

The report also includes information on the gender composition of party delegations to sessions under the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol. The report is intended to support the decision by COP 18 to adopt a goal of gender balance in bodies established under the Convention and its Kyoto Protocol, with the aim of improving women’s participation, and informing more effective climate change policymaking that addresses the needs of women and men equally.

The report contains data on the gender composition of: constituted bodies; the bureaux; constituted bodies by regional group and other party groupings; bureaux by regional group; and party delegations. On constituted bodies, it observes that only three female delegates were elected as Chair or Co-Chair, while two female delegates were elected for positions of Vice-Chair. On party delegations, it notes that the representation of women has increased since the publication of the previous report on gender composition in August 2013.

The Secretariat notes that the COP may wish to refer the report to the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) for its consideration, and parties may wish to use the data in decision making relating to the election of members of the bodies under the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol.

The next session of the COP will take place from 1-12 December in Lima, Peru. [Publication: Report on Gender Composition]