SESRIC, in collaboration with the OIC Permanent Observer Mission to the UN and the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, organised a side event titled “Baku Climate Coalition for SMEs’ Green Transition: Women Empowerment” on the margins of the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) on 10 March 2025 in New York, USA.

The event convened over 45 participants, including Permanent Representatives of OIC countries to the UN, International Organisations, Research Institutions and Academia.

H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK, initiated the session with welcoming remarks and a presentation on "Green SMEs and Women Empowerment in OIC Countries." In her address, she underlined that SMEs are the backbone of economic growth, representing over 90% of businesses and 70% of employment worldwide. “Despite their smaller individual size, SMEs collectively contribute to 50% of the global carbon emissions. That is why green transition, innovation, and social integration are key to ensuring long-term resilience”, she stated.

Furthermore, H.E. SELÇUK underscored that women-led enterprises are instrumental in enhancing climate resilience and advancing clean energy transitions, yet women’s participation in entrepreneurship and leadership remains below global averages. She also addressed key challenges faced by SMEs, including limited access to finance, infrastructure constraints, and regulatory barriers, which hinder their green transformation.

This was followed by a speech from Dr. Rufat ATAKISHIYEV, Deputy Chairman of the Board of KOBİA, who introduced Azerbaijan’s recent efforts on green transition. He also elaborated on the “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities towards Socio-Economic Development," with a particular focus on the allocated topic, "A Country of Clean Environment and Green Growth." A key component and outcome of these related policies and programmes is the Declaration on the Baku Climate Coalition for SMEs' Green Transition, which served as the central focus of the side event.

In her remarks, Ms. Jeyran RAHMATULLOYEVA, Chief of Staff at the State Committee on Family, Women, and Children Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, briefly focused on the country’s efforts in women's empowerment, while also discussing how to align these policies with Azerbaijan’s ongoing green transformation efforts. On the other hand, H.E. Dima AL-KHATIB, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), contributed to the event from the viewpoint of an international organisation, emphasising the Baku Declaration as a great showcase of South-South cooperation.

In the final session, H.E. Amb. Hameed Ajibaiye OPELOYERU, Permanent Observer of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to the United Nations, delivered a valuable speech on the OIC’s responses and efforts to address the challenges faced by women and the green transition of SMEs. Acknowledging the importance of the Baku Declaration, he also presented new recommendations for better coordination of multilateral efforts on the topic.

The side event provided a valuable platform for knowledge-sharing and collaboration, allowing national, regional, and international institutions to assess ongoing efforts and programmes, while exploring potential future policies and projects.

Document

• Concept Note (English)

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