The Women Delegates Fund Night School brought the negotiation room to life as 33 participants from 24 countries, including 20 participants from least developed countries (LDCs), stepped into the heat of climate diplomacy through a two-night training, including a realistic negotiation simulation exercise.

Working in regional groups, participants navigated the complex dynamics of UNFCCC negotiations — drafting interventions, building coalitions, and finding compromise language in real-time. The simulation revealed both the challenges and opportunities that await in the formal negotiation spaces.

As veteran participant Sira Secka from the Gambia reflected: “I feel so comfortable now taking the floor, being in the negotiation room, and then just following the procedure and the processes of the UNFCCC … especially for us that are coming from the Least Developed Countries or countries that are still trying to build capacities at the local level, we benefit from it because it just teaches you a lot that you might not have the opportunity to do at the local level.”

TrainerKunzang from Bhutan, herself a Night School alumna, reflected on the transformative power of this program from the Women Development Fund: “Participants, they come as a trainee and then they get into the process. They get into mentoring, and then they started leading groups and delegations, and you can see that growth.”

This hands-on practice is crucial. With COP30 in Belém starting this week and the Gender Action Plan review on the table, we need negotiators who can navigate both the technical and political dimensions of climate talks with confidence.

The Women Delegates Fund Night School isn’t just about understanding the process — it’s about changing who shapes the outcomes. When women negotiators enter these spaces prepared, connected, and clear on their strategies, the entire conversation shifts.

Thank you to all participants who brought their expertise, questions, and determination to these two intensive nights. Your leadership is already making a difference. The work continues. See you in the negotiation rooms.