INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY AT THE UNITED NATIONS
AND GLOBAL POLICY FORUMS

The Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network uplifts and amplifies women’s leadership in climate change solutions through action initiatives, trainings, on-the-ground projects, policy briefs, and grassroots organizing. This includes significant advocacy work at global policy forums.

Since the organization's founding, WECAN has been participating both within and outside of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP) convenings, and other UN and international forms, to advocate for climate justice, gender equality, fossil fuel phaseout, a Just Transition, Indigenous rights, Rights of Nature, and meaningful, bold action on climate change.

We are honored to ensure that frontline, grassroots, and Indigenous women from around the world have the opportunity to speak for themselves within spaces such as the UN climate negotiations—to share their demands, on-the-ground solutions, and resistance movements.

Explore this page for highlights of WECAN’s international advocacy work.

UNFCCC COP Advocacy and Delegations

Building upon over 12 years of engagement in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) climate negotiations process, the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network is honored to annually organize and advocate with outstanding Frontline and Indigenous Women's Delegations to demand that world governments take bold and transformative action for climate justice.

Concita Sõpré, Co-founder, National Association of Indigenous Women's Warriors of Ancestry (ANMIGA), and Co-founder of the Federation of Indigenous Peoples of the State of Pará (FEPIPA), speaks out during the WECAN Side Event at the UNFCCC COP30 in Brazil. Photo Credit: Katherine Quaid / WECAN

While at the COPs, WECAN presents policy interventions, on-the-ground climate justice projects from food to forests, reports, policy briefs, systemic change frameworks, and strategies within a climate justice and feminist analysis to draw attention to the root causes of multiple interlocking crises, as we call for just solutions to shape a healthy and equitable world. To learn more about WECAN’s advocacy at the COP, please see the links below which highlight our work.

WECAN participates in the COP process because we believe that it is critical at this moment to accelerate engagement with governments and to call for immediate climate action. Along with global partners, WECAN advocates for just climate policies to ensure governments, corporations, and financial institutions are accountable for their responsibilities in perpetuating the climate crisis, while simultaneously uplifting community-led solutions for systemic change.

COP REPORTBACKS AND ANALYSIS

New York Climate Week

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WECAN and friends during a march held at the beginning of 2025 New York Climate Week in New York City. Photo Credit: Katherine Quaid / WECAN

Annually, WECAN engages in New York Climate Week, which happens concurrently to the UN General Assembly in September. Climate Week is a critical space for climate groups to convene in dialogue ahead of annual UNFCCC conferences. At this time, WECAN organizes strategic gatherings with partners, solution agendas, and policy analysis, pushing forward action on ending the era of fossil fuels and advancing a Just Transition.

During New York Climate Week, WECAN hosts and co-hosts many events to amplify the climate solutions of women in all their diversity worldwide. We release and share reports on climate justice policies and the impacts of the fossil fuel industry; participate in marches and actions; hold strategy sessions with frontline leaders and colleagues; accelerate the movement to implement Rights of Nature and Indigenous Rights globally; contribute to the collective movement for climate justice; and much more.

Women leaders speak out during a WECAN event hosted at 2025 New York Climate Week. Photo Credit: Ashley Guardado/WECAN

Please see recent report backs and analyses from previous advocacy at New York Climate Week at the links below.

2025 - In Action at Climate Week: Report Back on Women Leading Climate Solutions, Just Transitions, Fossil Fuel Phaseout, and Rights of Nature!
2024 - Generating Action and Solutions at Climate Week
2023 - Climate Week Recap: Frontline Women are Leading Climate Justice Solutions!
2022 - Responding to the Climate Emergency - In Action for People and Planet
2021 - Global Women's Assembly for Climate Justice: Solutions from the Frontlines and the Protection and Defense of Human Rights and Nature *due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WECAN hosted a 6-day free, gender-diverse, public forum that took place virtually from September 25-30, which would have coincided with Climate Week this year.*
2020 - Women for Human Rights & The Defense of Nature || Climate Week 2020
2019 - We are not waiting, but acting now! Climate Week Reportback

UN Permanent Forum On Indigenous Issues

The WECAN team and delegation outside the United Nations Headquarters

in New York City during the 2025 UNPFII. Photo Credit: WECAN

In solidarity with Indigenous partners and colleagues, WECAN participates in the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) held every April. The UNPFII is a vital international forum for Indigenous women facing various violations, including the destruction of their territories, and the effects these egregious actions have on communities, water, forests, and the global climate. Within this context, Indigenous women are advocating for an end to multiple forms of violence while demonstrating critical solutions for protecting water, land, and communities. The forum and parallel events are a key opportunity to have their voices, responses, and solutions heard by the public, media, and government representatives.

WECAN is dedicated to supporting frontline women at critical international events and advocacy opportunities, like the UNPFII, because we know that the leadership of Indigenous women is essential now more than ever as we face a compelling need for rapid, transformative action and urgent implementation of policies and programs that support a healthy and just future.

Indigenous women leaders speak out during a WECAN event held

at the 2025 UNPFII in New York City. Photo Credit: Katherine Quaid / WECAN

As part of WECAN’s advocacy efforts at UNPFII, we participate in critical dialogues, meet with partners, and host events highlighting the strategies and solutions of Indigenous women leaders. Additionally, we release recommendations, policy briefs, and calls to action for governments, financial institutions, and corporations regarding respecting Indigenous rights and self-determination. We are also very honored to accompany and support Indigenous women leaders from across the Americas to participate in the UNPFII. Please learn more about our past engagements at the UNPFII at the links below:

Biodiversity Forums

WECAN and partners together at the UNCBD COP16 in Colombia. Photo Credit: Sophia Lovato/WECAN

WECAN advocates virtually and in-person at international biodiversity forums, specifically the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). As part of our advocacy, WECAN presents policy interventions, on-the-ground biodiversity protection programs, reforestation and forest protection projects, climate justice programs, and system change frameworks. We highlight the root causes of interconnected crises and advocate for just solutions that foster a healthy and equitable world.

Scientists and communities globally have made it clear that the biodiversity crisis and the climate crisis are interconnected. Addressing these twin crises requires examining the drivers leading to the juncture of environmental and climate devastation. Transitioning from incentivized extraction to biodiversity-protective actions and policies is necessary to move away from an irreversible tipping point that threatens the web of life.

Shirley Krenak, Founder of the Shirley Djukurna Krenak Institute, and Co-founder of ANMIGA, speaks out alongside Casey Camp-Horinek, Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador, WECAN Board Member and Project Coordinator during the UNCBD COP16 in Colombia. Photo Credit: Sophia Lovato/WECAN

Please see WECAN’s previous advocacy at biodiversity-focused forums below.

UN Commission on the Status of Women

Jillianne Lyon, WECAN Policy Coordinator, and Osprey Orielle Lake, WECAN Executive Director outside the United Nations Headquarters in New York City during the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69). Photo Credit: WECAN

Every March, the United Nations hosts the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the predominant global intergovernmental entity dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and rights. A 2025 UN report showed that 1 in 4 countries report instances of backlash on women’s rights and gender discrimination. Despite significant progress on gender equality, women in all their diversity face unprecedented threats, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asserting that women’s rights are “under siege” by patriarchal governments and institutions.

Ensuring gender justice and women’s rights globally is a necessary strategy for addressing the climate crisis. WECAN participates in the CSW virtually or in-person to strategize and connect with women leaders on the frontlines of climate justice, defend women's rights, and uphold democratic governance. Women leaders in all their diversity engage in the CSW to call for more visibility, momentum, and passion for protecting women's rights and climate justice amidst the geopolitical challenges we face.

Learn more about WECAN’s 2025 participation at the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) here. CSW69 marked the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, one of the most progressive blueprints for advancing women’s rights across the globe. CSW69 was a critical juncture to reflect on the past three decades of the movement for gender equality, the progress made, and the challenges that remain today.

International Advocacy Partners

As part of our organizing in the UNFCCC and other international forums, WECAN is honored to work with key partners on aligned advocacy for climate justice, human and Indigenous rights, gender justice, Rights of Nature, Just Transition, fossil fuel phaseout, biodiversity protection, and much more.

Inside and outside UN spaces, we co-host, support, and engage in many events and advocacy moments to collaboratively generate power and advance our collective calls. Please learn more about WECAN’s international advocacy partners below.

Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

Members of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty during the UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai. Photo Courtesy of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is an initiative to phase-out fossil fuels and fast-track climate solutions inspired by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The Treaty is based on 3 pillars:

NON-PROLIFERATION: Preventing the proliferation of coal, oil, and gas by ending exploration, extraction, and production.
GLOBAL DISARMAMENT: Equitable phase out of existing stockpiles and production in line with the Paris Agreement 1.5 °C goal, funded by nations with the capacity and historical responsibility for emissions
PEACEFUL TRANSITION: Fast-tracking energy and economic solutions and a Just Transition for every worker, community, and country.

Osprey Orielle Lake, WECAN Executive Director, is a member of the Steering Committee for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, and we are honored to continue amplifying the tenets of the treaty as we urge governments to endorse the initiative. Learn more about the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty here.

Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN)

Members of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN) ahead of UNFCCC COP30 in Brazil. Photo Courtesy of GARN

The Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN) is a global network of organizations and individuals committed to the universal adoption and implementation of legal systems that recognize, respect, and enforce “Rights of Nature”.

GARN’s objective is to encourage the recognition and effective implementation of Rights of Nature through the creation of a world network of individuals and organizations that, through active cooperation, collective action, and legal tools based on Rights of Nature, can change the direction in which humanity is taking our planet.

WECAN Executive Director, Osprey Orielle Lake, serves on the Executive Committee of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature, and has worked extensively within the Alliance to organize and present Rights of Nature Tribunals and other events and actions over the past years. WECAN additionally serves on the Steering Committee for the International Rights of Nature Tribunals. Learn more about GARN here.

National Articulation of Indigenous Women Warriors of Ancestrality (ANMIGA)

Co-founders of ANMIGA Célia Xakriabá, Jozileia Kaingang, and Concita Sõpré, alongside WECAN Executive Director Osprey Orielle Lake (left) during the UN COP16 in Colombia. Photo Credit: Sophia Lovato/WECAN

The National Articulation of Indigenous Women Warriors of Ancestrality (ANMIGA) is an organization of Indigenous women from all biomes of Brazil, whose knowledge, traditions, and struggles combine and converge, bringing together women mobilized to guarantee the rights and lives of Indigenous peoples.

WECAN is honored to be in a formal partnership with ANMIGA to elevate women leaders from Brazil in international forums and spaces. Learn more about ANMIGA’s work here.

Women and Gender Constituency (WGC)

The Women and Gender Constituency members ahead of the UNFCCC COP30 in Brazil. Photo Courtesy of the Women and Gender Constituency

The Women and Gender Constituency (WGC) is the official voice for those advancing women’s rights, gender equality, and feminist climate justice within the UNFCCC. The WGC connects grassroots movements, researchers, and advocates to global climate negotiations — ensuring those most impacted by climate change have the power to shape the decisions that affect their lives.

WECAN has been an active participant in the WGC since our founding, and we are a formal member of the constituency, engaging in working groups, events, and activities coordinated by the WGC. We also work closely with other WGC organizational partners and advocates. Learn more about the Women and Gender Constituency here.

INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY AT THE UNITED NATIONS AND GLOBAL POLICY FORUMS