Mr President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the MIKTA countries – Mexico, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Türkiye, and Australia.

MIKTA countries are strong supporters of the rules-based international system, good global governance, and the protection of human rights.

The achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls is central to this aim and is a core priority for MIKTA.

Climate change is no longer a distant potential threat but a sustainable development challenge, with broader impacts not only on the environment but also on human rights and economic and social development.

Climate change disproportionately affects women and girls, exacerbating pre-existing gender inequalities and discrimination against women and girls.
Mr President,

We strongly condemn all forms of violence against women and girls which is a human rights violation and a major impediment to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

We call on all Member States to strongly support efforts to prevent, punish and eliminate it.

We are concerned that the impact of climate change heightens the risk of violence against women and girls.

Climate change amplifies the risk of poverty, food insecurity, sexual and gender-based violence, trafficking and exploitation against women and girls.

Women and girl IDPs, migrants and refugees are particularly at risk of violence.

There is a strong need to ensure the provision of essential services to victims and survivors of gender-based violence, such as access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, as well as to mental healthcare service, psychosocial and livelihoods support.

It is therefore vital that climate action and strategy be gender-responsive and inclusive, including through engagement of women and girls in policy planning, development, implementation and monitoring.

MIKTA countries strongly support the full, equal and meaningful participation of all women and girls in decision-making, as well as leadership and representation, at all levels in climate policies.

It is crucial that climate change does not undermine our progress towards gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

Thank you.