As nations strive to combat climate change, their commitments outlined in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) serve as pivotal documents shaping global climate policy. These commitments, submitted every five years by countries party to the Paris Climate Agreement, delineate strategies for both mitigating and adapting to climate change impacts.
Against a backdrop of escalating climate challenges, particularly affecting frontline communities, including women and girls, this report delves into the incorporation of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues within the NDCs of Arab States. Timely with the closure of the first global stocktake of the Paris Agreement in 2023, the report aims to inform the forthcoming submission of the region’s third cycle of NDCs in 2025. It also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), underscoring the interconnectedness of population dynamics, SRHR, gender equality, and climate change.
Through collaboration between UNFPA and Queen Mary University of London, a systematic content analysis of SRHR references in NDC documents was conducted for 15 out of 20 Arab States countries. This regional analysis scrutinizes the integration of SRHR and related themes, encompassing health, gender, population dynamics, youth, human rights, vulnerable groups, and participation, in NDCs from 2020 onwards. It provides recommendations for enhancing the efficacy of future submissions in addressing these intersections in terms of impact, commitments, budget allocations, and other critical actions.
Following COP28 in Dubai, countries were urged to submit their next NDCs “at least 9-12 months in advance” of COP30 in Brazil, scheduled for the end of 2025. These reports are poised to guide stakeholders across the region in ensuring that forthcoming NDC submissions comprehensively reflect the intersections of climate action, SRHR, gender-based violence (GBV), and harmful practices.
