COP29 Event highlights Climate Change Impact on Women, Youth, and Green Skills

At the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Azerbaijan, discussions focused on the impact of climate change on vulnerable groups, particularly women and youth, and the role of green skills in combating these challenges.

On November 20, the COP29 Blue Zone hosted an event dedicated to exploring climate change effects on these groups, alongside strategies for combating them and sharing international experiences.

The event, organized by the Gender Hub Azerbaijan in partnership with the Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry, the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations, and the United Nations, was titled “Enhancing Green Capabilities: A Commonwealth Experience.” It aimed to address the challenges faced by vulnerable populations and their critical role in climate action.

The event gathered 35 participants from 12 countries, including representatives from NGOs, international organizations, climate activists, and youth leaders, who contributed to discussions and shared local applications of global practices.

High-level speeches were delivered by Patricia Janet Scotland, Secretary General of the United Nations Secretariat; Nigar Arpadarai, Deputy of the Azerbaijani National Assembly; Syed Navid Qamar, member of the Pakistani National Assembly; and Nick Baker, head of the COP29 department at the British Embassy in Azerbaijan. The event was moderated by Maryam Majidova, Chairperson of Gender Hub Azerbaijan.

A panel discussion featured experts such as Giovanna Mingarelli, co-founder of M&C Consulting; Nafula Vafula-Gitonga, co-founder of Ushindi Empowerment Group; and Nasar Hayat, representative of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Azerbaijan. The panel addressed climate change's impact on women and youth in various countries and explored both local and international strategies to mitigate these effects.

The session concluded with an interactive Q&A session, engaging participants in a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences.

COP29, held at Baku Stadium until November 22, is Azerbaijan's largest-ever event and the first COP conference to be held in the region. A major expectation from the summit is the agreement on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Target (NCQG) for climate finance. The event also showcased 14 initiatives linking climate action with sustainable development goals, including green energy corridors, clean hydrogen, and methane reduction in organic waste, all aimed at advancing global climate goals.