UNCCD COP17 Women Delegates Negotiation Training: A Pathway to Enhanced Participation

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is offering a crucial training opportunity for women delegates ahead of its 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17). This initiative, known as the UNCCD COP17 Women Delegates Negotiation Training 2026, aims to boost the involvement and effectiveness of women in international environmental discussions. By providing specialized skills and support, the program seeks to ensure that women’s voices are heard and their contributions are valued in addressing critical issues like land degradation and drought. This training is a key part of the UNCCD’s commitment to gender equality and empowering women in environmental governance.

Strengthening Women’s Leadership in Environmental Diplomacy

The UNCCD Women Delegates Fund (WDF) training is designed to build upon previous successes, offering a second round of capacity-building activities. The program focuses on enhancing women’s leadership skills and their ability to negotiate effectively within multilateral environmental processes. This is particularly important as COP17, themed “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope,” will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to find solutions for land restoration and drought resilience. The WDF directly supports the UNCCD Gender Action Plan (GAP), which emphasizes increasing women’s participation and leadership at all levels of the UNCCD’s work.

Benefits for Selected Participants

Women delegates who are selected for this training program will receive several valuable benefits. These include support for their participation in COP17, ensuring they can attend the conference. More importantly, they will gain access to capacity-building and negotiation support activities tailored to the complexities of international environmental negotiations. The program also offers pre-COP briefings, which provide essential context and preparation, as well as networking opportunities with other women delegates. These connections can foster collaboration and create a supportive community for future engagement.

Eligibility Criteria for Nominees

The UNCCD COP17 Women Delegates Negotiation Training is open to women delegates from developing countries that are eligible under the UNCCD Special Trust Fund for Participation. A priority is placed on delegates from Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Governments from all Regional Implementation Annexes are encouraged to nominate one eligible woman delegate who will be part of their official COP17 delegation. This ensures that the training directly benefits individuals who will be actively involved in the conference proceedings and negotiations.

How to Nominate a Candidate

Governments wishing to nominate a candidate must submit a formal letter. This letter should be on official Ministry letterhead and signed by the National Focal Point (NFP). The nomination letter needs to be sent to [email protected] with a copy also sent to the respective Regional Liaison Officer (RLO) within the UNCCD secretariat. Additionally, the CV or a short biography of the proposed woman delegate must be attached to the nomination. This process ensures that nominations are official and that relevant information about the candidate is provided for consideration. Further details can be found on the UNCCD Women Delegates Fund website.

Frequently Asked Questions