Qaiser Nawab Advocates for Youth and Women Empowerment in Climate Leadership at COP29 Panel

Baku, Azerbaijan – November 16, 2024

Qaiser Nawab, President of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD) and Founder of the Global Strategic Institute for Sustainable Development (GSISD), participated as a distinguished panelist at the event titled “Advancing Climate Action through South-South Cooperation: The Role of NGOs”. Organized by the Azerbaijan NGO Forum, the session was a key highlight of the official COP29 proceedings under Azerbaijan’s presidency.

The panel featured an impressive lineup of esteemed speakers, including H.E. Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President, Aygun Aliyeva, Member of the COP29 Organizing Committee and Executive Director of the Agency of State Support to the NGOs of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Wook Jin Chang, Chief of the NGO Branch at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA); Nigar Mammadova, Member of the COP29 Organizing Committee and the National Assembly of Azerbaijan; and Leyla Hasanova, Youth Climate Champion for COP29 Azerbaijan.

In his remarks, Qaiser Nawab expressed his profound appreciation for Azerbaijan, which he described as his “second home,” and commended its leadership under H.E. President Ilham Aliyev within the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Nawab praised Azerbaijan’s pivotal contributions, including equitable vaccine distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic, youth empowerment, and initiatives supporting scientists and parliamentarians, as examples of the country’s commitment to global solidarity.

Focusing on the theme “Empowering Youth and Women in Climate Leadership: Bridging Local Voices with Global Climate Goals,” Qaiser Nawab underscored the importance of integrating local voices into global climate strategies, the critical role of NGOs in facilitating climate finance, and the need for stronger South-South cooperation to support developing nations and NAM member states in combating climate challenges.

“Together, by investing in the potential of our youth and women, we can bridge local action with global climate goals and build a future that is sustainable, inclusive, and resilient for generations to come”. Mr Nawab said

The event underscored the power of collaboration between civil society organizations, governments, and youth networks in building a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for all.