Cancun, Mexico– Climate change is the most urgent and critical issue of our time. Ensuring equitable participation of women and men in developing solutions to this challenge is key to moving towards a sustainable future. Women’s leadership at all levels is integral to achieving the goals of sustainable development and poverty alleviation.

Recognizing the need for increased access and participation of women in this process, the Women Delegates Fund (WDF) was established in 2009 with support of the Government of Finland. The WDF is a project of the Global Gender and Climate Alliance (GGCA), implemented by UNDP and administered by the Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO).

This Press Conference will highlight the importance of increased participation of women as decision makers at the UNFCCC as well as key statistics on women’s participation at present.

Date: Thursday, December 2^nd, 2010

Time: 15:00 -15:30

Location: LUNA, Expo Center (Azteca)

Panelists include:

• Monique Essed-Fernandes, Executive Director, Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO)
• Magdy Martinez-Soliman, UN Resident Coordinator, and Resident Representative for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Mexico
• Aira Kelala, Special Advisor, Global Gender and Climate Alliance (GGCA),Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland
• Patience Damptey, WDF Sponsored Delegate, Ghana

Click here for Press Advisory.