Baku, Azerbaijan, November 2024 – The Commonwealth Secretariat, in collaboration with Gender Hub Azerbaijan, the Global Strategic Institute for Sustainable Development (GSISD), “THE” Society International (Together for Health and Education), and the Commonwealth Youth Forum, hosted a landmark side event at COP29. Titled “Enhancing Women’s Green Skills: Based on the Commonwealth Experience and Beyond,” the event took place at the Commonwealth Pavilion in the Blue Zone of COP29 in Azerbaijan.
The event brought together global leaders, policymakers, and experts to address the critical intersection of climate change, gender equality, and youth empowerment. It provided a platform to discuss the need for equipping women with green skills to tackle the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable groups, especially women and youth.
Keynote speakers included H.E. Patricia Scotland, Member of the House of Lords and Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, United Kingdom; H.E. Ms. Nigar Arpadarai, Member of Parliament and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29, Azerbaijan; and H.E. Syed Naveed Qamar, Chairman Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, Member of the National Assembly, Pakistan. Panelists featured Ms. Giovanna Mingarelli, Co-Founder of M&C Consulting, Canada; Ms. Nafula Wafula-Gitonga, Co-Founder of Ushindi Empowerment Group, Kenya; Mr. Nasar Hayat, FAO Representative to Azerbaijan; and Mr. Qaiser Nawab, Founder of GSISD and “THE” Society International. The session was moderated by Ms. Maryam Majidova, Co-founder and Executive Director of Gender Hub Azerbaijan and Member of the COP29 Organising Committee.
The discussions highlighted the urgency of gender-responsive climate action, particularly in water-scarce and agricultural regions where women bear the brunt of climate-induced challenges. Speakers showcased successful initiatives from Commonwealth countries and emphasized the importance of integrating gender equality and youth empowerment into environmental policies. Key insights included the disproportionate impacts of climate change on women and youth, especially in regions like Azerbaijan, and the transformative role of women and youth in advancing climate action.
Mr. Qaiser Nawab shared insights from Pakistan’s devastating 2022 floods, highlighting how climate change has exacerbated gender inequality. He discussed alarming trends such as child marriages, referred to as “Monsoon Brides,” and the lack of adequate sanitation for women in disaster-hit areas. “Climate change is not just an environmental issue—it is a humanitarian crisis that magnifies existing inequalities. Empowering women and girls with green skills is not only a pathway to resilience but also a step toward sustainable development,” said Mr. Nawab.
The event reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusive climate action. Participants called for urgent, gender-sensitive interventions and the development of green skills for women and youth to adapt to climate challenges. The side event concluded with a strong call to action to strengthen collaborations between governments, NGOs, and local communities to implement sustainable practices and build resilient societies.
