Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Promoting GESI-Responsive Climate Action in BIMSTEC Regional Member States

Background 

Climate change is accelerating across Asia and the Pacific, with the Bay of Bengal and Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) among the most vulnerable subregions. Rising sea levels, cyclones, droughts, routine flooding, glacier mass loss, declining snow cover, and permafrost thaw are disrupting ecosystems and threatening water security, food systems, and infrastructure. 

The socio-economic impacts are deeply gendered. Women and marginalised groups face heightened climate risks due to limited access to resources, services, and decision-making. In mountain areas, outmigration and structural inequalities have intensified women’s workloads and responsibilities. 

While BIMSTEC has adopted a Plan of Action on Environment and Climate Change and taken steps to mainstream gender, implementation gaps remain. Regional cooperation is essential to scale inclusive climate action and coordinate responses. 

To advance this agenda, UN Women, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the BIMSTEC Secretariat, and ICIMOD, will convene a Capacity Building and Consultation Workshop for Inclusive Climate Policy and Planning. The workshop will bring together officials from BIMSTEC Member States, the Secretariat, and ICIMOD’s Regional Member Countries to strengthen institutional and technical capacity to integrate gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) in climate planning and policy implementation.