On November 6, the business forum “Gender and Climate – 2024” took place in Astana, organized by the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program, which is supported by the Asian Development Bank. The analytical bureau CABAR.asia acted as one of the main partners of this event.
The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, operating in 11 countries including in Central Asia, the Caucasus, Mongolia, China, and Pakistan, has gathered experts working in gender and climate issues to unite them under the CAREC Gender Climate Network, as well as encourage its most active members.
The network will be organized within the framework of the existing CAREC Women’s Empowerment Online Platform (WEOP), a comprehensive and user-friendly digital space aimed at empowering women across the region by providing capacity-building resources, networking opportunities, and knowledge sharing.”
Approximately 100 participants from various countries shared their experiences, discussed achievements and challenges in their work on climate change adaptation, explored new trends, and debated ways to improve conditions for promoting women’s initiatives in countries united by the CAREC program.
Lyaziza Sabyrova, the ADB’s Regional Director for Central and West Asia, highlighted the crucial link between gender equality and climate change. She urged innovative approaches to build a future in the CAREC region that is both gender-inclusive and resilient to climate change.
Lyaziza Sabyrova pointed out that women often face barriers, including limited access to resources and fewer opportunities, especially in comparison with men. However, she emphasized that through gender-responsive policies, targeted training, capacity development initiatives, and community engagement, women’s capabilities can be strengthened. “Together, we can create a more equitable and sustainable future – a world where everyone can thrive, regardless of gender,” she said.
The chief specialist for regional cooperation at the ADB and head of the CAREC gender group, Zulfiya Karimova, announced the launch of a new initiative – the creation of the “CAREC Gender Climate Network”.
“We are excited to introduce a new initiative on the CAREC WEOP platform: the CAREC Gender Climate Network. This innovative platform will feature a series of expert meetings and mentorship programs, showcasing the experiences of inspiring leaders from across the CAREC region who are committed to advancing gender and climate initiatives,” noted Karimova.
She encouraged business forum participants to actively engage in the network.
“Your participation and support are crucial to the success of this initiative, and we are delighted to collaborate with each of you on this journey. Together with the CAREC WEOP, these efforts reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future for all,” she added.
During the four forum sessions, experts and speakers discussed gender-sensitive climate actions, gender-responsive financing in the context of climate change, empowering women and their participation in innovative STEAM sectors, the banking sector, and artificial intelligence development, as well as strategies to expand women’s participation in leadership roles related to climate change adaptation.
Speakers shared their experiences, challenges, successes and accomplishments both in their individual work and in their respective regions.
At the accompanying exhibition, attendees could admire handcrafted items such as jewelry made from stones and minerals, as well as scarves and textiles produced using organic and environmentally friendly methods.
The atmosphere at the event was inspiring and motivating, encouraging participants to continue their work and collaborations.
In addition to CABAR.asia, the event was partnered with the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan “Atameken,” Makhsut Narikbayev University, and the USAID Enterprise and Business Environment Project.
Fifteen organizations and individuals were awarded the “Gender Climate Awards” 2024.
The same evening, a gala awards ceremony for the winners of the “Gender Climate Awards” 2024 was held in the Winter Garden Hall of the St. Regis Hotel in Astana, recognizing achievements in gender equality and the fight against climate change.
For their active work in supporting women who make significant contributions to gender equality in the adaptation, mitigation, and sustainability of climate change impacts in Central and Western Asia, 15 individuals and organizations from CAREC member countries were awarded.
The “Gender Climate Awards” are being presented for the second time, having previously been known as the “CAREC Award for Promoting Gender Equality.”
In recognition of their contributions to positive changes and support for women’s initiatives in climate change adaptation, eight individuals and seven organizations were awarded this year.
Among the individual awardees, Elmira Farzalieva, founder and CEO of “Urban Nature-Based Solutions” in Azerbaijan, was recognized for leading innovative projects that empower women while promoting sustainable environmental practices. Professor Lun Yin of Southwest Forestry University in China, the first male recipient in this category, was honored for implementing community-initiated projects for Tibetan women in Yunnan Province. Aruzhan Mominbayeva, Project Manager at the Green Technology Center in Kazakhstan, was awarded for her valuable contributions to renewable energy and inspiring young women to work in this field. Nurzat Abdyrasulova, President of “UNISON Group” in Kyrgyzstan, was recognized for developing gender-responsive strategies to enhance women’s roles in the energy sector. Enkhgerel Ariunbold, CEO of “Mongol Basalt” JSC in Mongolia, was awarded for leading the production of energy-efficient building materials and supporting the renovation of buildings using energy-saving technologies. Aisha Amin, founder and CEO of “Baithak — Challenging Taboos,” was honored for addressing climate change, gender equity, and reproductive health issues in Pakistan. Dilbar Shermurodova, consultant and grant management coordinator for the local NGO “Nuri Umed & Arzanda” in Tajikistan, was awarded for empowering marginalized rural women to develop climate-resilient and economically viable livelihoods. Feruza Alikulova, a communication specialist for the UNESCO project “Skills Development for Employment in Rural Areas of Uzbekistan,” was recognized for creating effective communication strategies that highlight the importance of vocational education and training for women and girls.
In the “Organization” category, the following were awarded: the Chinese NGO Cooperation Association (CANGO) for implementing community development, environmental protection, and gender equality projects; “Women and Peace” from Georgia for combating domestic violence, protecting the environment, and advocating for the rights of ethnic groups and sexual minorities; Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications named after Gumarkbek Daukeev in Kazakhstan for providing educational services in energy, telecommunications, information technology, and space technology; the Sustainable Finance Association of Mongolia for promoting environmentally and socially responsible practices in the financial sector; the Women’s Advancement Network (WANG) from Pakistan for empowering youth, promoting women’s rights, and ensuring access to quality education for all; the NGO “Bonuvon Fardo” from Tajikistan for supporting initiatives to ensure gender, social, and environmental justice and women’s access to land and resources; and the regional organization “Shymkent ACCESS Alumni Youth Public Association (ASAA)” for its activities in education, human rights, ecology, and climate change.
The winners were selected from nearly 200 nominees from CAREC member countries. Recognition grants them access to various CAREC events related to gender and climate action, and provides them with opportunities for networking and sharing best practices. The winners will also be able to benefit from CAREC’s leadership coaching and mentoring programs.
For more information on the winners, please visit the link.
The CAREC “Gender Climate Awards” is an initiative of the CAREC Program, launched in 2001 and supported by the ADB. It symbolizes the dedicated partnership of countries and development partners working together to promote development through regional cooperation in Central and Western Asia.