OSCE Tackles Gender and Climate Change Nexus

Pivotal conference explores how environmental shifts disproportionately impact women and girls

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:40am

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A cinematic painting in the style of Edward Hopper, depicting a solitary woman standing alone on a city street, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the disproportionate burden climate change places on women.As climate change exacerbates security risks, the OSCE conference sheds light on the unique challenges and vulnerabilities faced by women and girls.Vienna Today

A major OSCE conference in Vienna brought together experts to examine the gendered dimensions of climate change and associated security risks across the organization's 57 member states. The event highlighted a comprehensive SIPRI study commissioned by the OSCE, which delved into how traditional gender roles and existing inequalities profoundly affect how people perceive and react to climate-linked threats like floods and droughts.

Why it matters

Addressing the gender-climate-security nexus is crucial for crafting more effective and equitable policies to combat the global climate crisis. By acknowledging how environmental shifts disproportionately impact women and girls, the OSCE aims to ensure no one is left behind in building community resilience.

The details

The 'Resilient Futures: Linking Climate, Gender and Security' conference was hosted by the OSCE's Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) in November 2025. It featured insights from the SIPRI study, panel discussions, and presentations from experts highlighting how empowering women leaders, fostering inclusive decision-making, and providing tailored support can bolster overall stability amid escalating climate pressures.

  • The conference took place on November 3, 2025 in Vienna.
  • It marked the high point of a year-long series of OSCE regional dialogues, workshops, and global forums exploring the ties between gender, climate change, and security throughout 2025.

The players

Bakyt Dzhusupov

The Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, who emphasized the intersection of gender and climate action in the OSCE's mandate.

Kimmo Laukkanen

Deputy Head of Mission at Finland's Permanent Mission to the OSCE, who shared his country's dedication to advancing gender equality alongside climate security.

Bárbara Magalhães Teixeira

A researcher from SIPRI who stressed the importance of ongoing research and weaving gender considerations into policies to address the gendered impacts of climate change.

Brian Flynn

Ireland's Permanent Representative to the OSCE, who participated in the panel discussion.

Silvia Sartori

An independent expert on international gender, energy, and climate issues, who participated in the panel discussion.

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What they’re saying

“The intersection of gender and climate action lies in the OSCE's mandate.”

— Bakyt Dzhusupov, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities

“Empowering women isn't just fair; it's essential for innovative solutions to global warming.”

— Kimmo Laukkanen, Deputy Head of Mission at Finland's Permanent Mission to the OSCE

“Traditional gender roles and existing inequalities profoundly affect how people perceive and react to security risks tied to climate events.”

— Bárbara Magalhães Teixeira, Researcher, SIPRI

What’s next

The insights from the conference and related OSCE events will shape a practical toolkit for policymakers, set for release in 2026, offering hands-on guidance to integrate gender perspectives effectively into climate, peace, and security efforts.

The takeaway

Addressing the intersection of gender, climate change, and security is crucial for crafting more impactful and equitable policies to combat the global climate crisis. By acknowledging how environmental shifts disproportionately impact women and girls, the OSCE aims to ensure no one is left behind in building community resilience.