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Monrovia, November 3, 2025: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with UN Women and the Government of Liberia, on October 30, 2025, convened a high-level dialogue on "Advancing Gender-Responsive Security and Rule of Law in a Changing Climate." The event brought together government officials, civil society, academia, private sector actors, and development partners to explore the intersection of climate change, gender equality, peace, and justice. Key participants included the Minister of Justice, representatives from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Executive Protection Service (EPS), the UN Resident Coordinator, Christine Umutoni, and the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Louis Kuukpen. In his opening remarks, Mr. Kuukpen emphasized the need for inclusive climate responses that prioritize the needs of women, youth, and vulnerable populations. "Climate change affects everyone—but not equally. This dialogue helps us reflect on how to better integrate gender, peace, and climate priorities into national planning," he said. The event follows Liberia's submission of its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC, reaffirming its commitment to climate action through locally driven, inclusive solutions. Panel discussions highlighted how climate change exacerbates gender inequalities and can undermine peace and security. Speakers underscored the leadership role of women in driving climate adaptation, sustaining livelihoods, and fostering social cohesion. UN Resident Coordinator Christine Umutoni reinforced the UN's commitment to inclusive policy development. "Our goal is to ensure that climate and gender policies reflect the realities and voices of those most affected. Only then can we build a more resilient and peaceful Liberia," she said. Key Recommendations from the Dialogue on Gender-Responsive Peace and Climate Action Participants proposed several actionable recommendations to strengthen Liberia's gender-responsive approach to climate resilience, peacebuilding, and security. Among the proposals is to strengthen multi-sector partnerships and foster collaboration among government, civil society, and development partners to advance gender equality, climate resilience, and peacebuilding efforts; accelerate disaster response systems; and improve coordination and speed of emergency responses to climate-related disasters, ensuring timely support for vulnerable groups, especially women and children. Others are establishing protection and referral mechanisms; enhancing law enforcement capacity—particularly the Liberia National Police—to respond to gender-based violence and climate-related security threats; improving referral Pathways; and developing or updating systems that connect survivors of violence or displacement with health, psychosocial, and legal services. The rest are to develop Gender-Sensitive SOPs, create clear Standard Operating Procedures to guide coordination among justice, security, and protection actors during emergencies and recovery phases, and expand public awareness and education, launch community-based campaigns to raise awareness of the links between gender equality, climate resilience, and peacebuilding. The outcomes of the dialogue will inform ongoing efforts to strengthen Liberia's Climate Change Gender Action Plan and promote integrated approaches to peacebuilding, environmental sustainability, and gender equality.
