15 champions recognized at CAREC Gender Climate Awards Ceremony in Astana 

The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Gender Climate Awards 2024 celebrated 15 outstanding individuals and organizations from CAREC member countries in a prestigious ceremony held in Astana, Kazakhstan on 6 November.

The Gender Climate Awards is the second installment of the awarding scheme by CAREC in gender, formerly the CAREC Award for Advancing Gender Equality. The Awards aims to recognize individuals and organizations making significant contributions to gender equality in the context of climate change resilience, adaptation, and mitigation in Central and West Asia.

In her welcome remarks, Ms. Lyaziza Sabyrova, Regional Head of Regional Cooperation and Integration at Asian Development Bank (ADB), praised the dedication of the awardees in championing the cause of gender equality and climate resilience.

“To the awardees, your dedication and impact are nothing short of inspirational. You have shown us that together, we can pave a more gender-inclusive path toward a better world. Tonight, we honor your efforts, your courage, and your unwavering commitment to gender equality in the face of climate adversity,” Ms. Sabyrova said.

Eight individuals have received the award. Ms. Elmira Farzaliyeva, Founder and CEO of Urban Nature-Based Solutions in Azerbaijan, was recognized for spearheading innovative projects that empower women while promoting sustainable environmental practices; Mr. Lun Yin, Professor at Southwest Forestry University in the People’s Republic of China and is the first male awardee, was honored for carrying out community-led action projects for Tibetan women in northwestern Yunnan Province; and Ms. Aruzhan Mominbayeva, Project Manager of Centre of Green Technologies in Kazakhstan, was commended for her valuable work in the field of renewable energy and inspiring young women to work in the industry.

Ms. Nurzat Abdyrasulova, President at UNISON Group in the Kyrgyz Republic, was honored for developing gender-sensitive strategies that promote the role of women in the energy sector; Ms. Enkhgerel Ariunbold, CEO of Mongol Basalt JSC from Mongolia, was recognized for leading the charge in producing energy-efficient construction materials and championing energy-saving renovations; and Ms. Ayesha Amin, Founder and CEO of Baithak – Challenging Taboos, was lauded for helping to address climate change, gender justice, and reproductive health in Pakistan.

Ms. Dilbar Shermurotova, Consultant and Grant Management Coordinator for NGOs Nuri Umed & Arzanda in Tajikistan, was recognized for empowering marginalized women in rural areas to develop sustainable livelihoods that are climate-resilient and economically viable; and Ms. Feruza Alikulova, Communication Officer for UNESCO’s TVET project Skills Development for Employability in Rural Areas of Uzbekistan, was honored for creating impactful communication strategies that highlight the importance of vocational education and training for women and girls.

Meanwhile, seven entities were recognized in the organization category: China Association for NGO Cooperation (CANGO), for conducting projects on community development, environmental protection, and gender equality, among others; Woman and the World from Georgia, for addressing domestic violence, environmental protection, and the rights of ethnic groups and sexual minorities; Gumarbek Daukeyev Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications from Kazakhstan, for providing educational services in the fields of power engineering, telecommunications, information technology, and space engineering, among others.

The Mongolian Sustainable Finance Association was also recognized for promoting environmentally and socially responsible practices in the financial sector; Welfare Association for New Generation (WANG) from Pakistan for empowering the youth, promoting women’s rights, and ensuring access to quality education for all; Bonuvoni Fardo NGO from Tajikistan for supporting initiatives for gender, social and environmental justice, and women’s access to land and resources; and the Association of Shymkent Access Alumni (ASAA), a regional organization, for its work in the areas of education, human rights, ecology, and climate change issues.

The awardees were carefully selected from nearly 200 candidates across CAREC member countries. The recognition grants them access to various CAREC-organized events related to gender and climate action and provides them with networking opportunities and peer-to-peer exchange of best practices. They will also benefit from CAREC leadership coaching and mentorship programs. Full details about the awardees can be found here.

The CAREC Gender Climate Awards is an initiative of the broader CAREC Program. The CAREC Program, launched in 2001 and supported by the ADB, signifies a committed partnership of countries and development partners working collaboratively to foster development through regional cooperation in Central and West Asia.