Official: 43% representation of women in organizing COP29 makes Azerbaijan exemplary country

The representation of women in the organizing committee, which is the main functional body of COP29 in Azerbaijan, is at the level of 42-43%, and this indicator can make Azerbaijan an exemplary country in the forming climate leadership, Aygun Aliyeva, Executive Director of the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations and member of the COP29 organizing committee, said at a conference held in Baku on "Water and Gender Equality," Report informs.

"Here we are talking about both individual and organizational leadership, especially the representation of women in organizational leadership is important. This is important not only in government agencies but also in business, innovation, non-governmental organizations, science, and research," Aliyeva emphasized.

According to her, women play an important role in promoting climate leadership: "Although women are the main users of water, they use these resources not only for themselves but also to meet the needs of all members of their families, including men. For this reason, women should not be perceived as entities that harm water resources, and their great role in water resource management, combating climate change, and promoting climate leadership should be taken into account."

Speaking about the role of NGOs in climate change, Aliyeva stated that they can mainly operate in the fields of awareness-raising, protection of water resources, and combating climate change. She also noted that NGOs can participate in the preparation of certain policy documents in support of government agencies. Emphasizing the importance of cooperation with communities in the Kura-Araz lowland, where water scarcity is prevalent, Aliyeva said it would be appropriate to consider NGO proposals in the preparation of normative documents.

NGOs can also implement projects and initiatives, carry out advocacy and monitoring activities, oversee the activities of governments and companies related to climate initiatives, and contribute by sharing results in open discussions with the public, noted the member of the COP29 organizing committee.