Speech by Vladanka Andreeva, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, at the opening of the workshop on “Promoting a gender responsive just transition towards environmental sustainability in the Republic of Azerbaijan”

Good morning, 

Distinguished guests and participants,

I am honored to welcome you to this workshop titled “Promoting a Gender-Responsive Just Transition Towards Environmental Sustainability in the Republic of Azerbaijan.” 

This event, is part of the UN Azerbaijan “29 Climate Conversations: The Road to COP29,” a collective journey towards raising awareness on climate action.

Climate change, one of the most pressing challenges of our time, has far-reaching impacts on ecosystems, economies, and communities. These impacts are not evenly distributed- women and marginalized groups often bear the brunt of these changes and have limited resources to adapt. Addressing these disparities is not merely a matter of justice, but a prerequisite for effective climate action.

In just 4 months the world will come to Baku to attend the most important annual climate conference.  And it’s very timely that today , we are reflecting on the need for climate strategies to be both robust and just. 

This two days’ gathering is designed to achieve several key objectives:

• To promote Social Dialogue
• To raise awareness on the Just Transition towards Environmentally Sustainable Economies and Societies for All
• To facilitate engagement among government, employers, and workers’ organizations 
• To enhance collaboration 
• To support South-South Cooperation ability and peer learning with a view to bridge COP 29 and COP 30. 

Azerbaijan, as the host of COP29, is at a critical juncture. The country faces significant climate challenges, including increased vulnerability to temperature rise and disrupted weather patterns. Addressing these issues requires a unified effort, guided by principles of equity and justice.

Gender equality and social inclusion are key to effectiveness of climate action. As we gear up for COP29, it is imperative that just transition and gender-responsive measures are well integrated into the national climate policies. 

In closing, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved today—the attendees, presenters, collaborators. And a particular acknowledgement to my ILO peers for their efforts in shaping this workshop's content and structure.

Thank you.