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COP29
Women in Energy Transitions Baku Dialogue

Nov 16, 2024 | Hyatt Regency Baku, Azerbaijan

As the world accelerates towards a sustainable energy future, the pivotal role of women in this transition cannot be overstated. The COP29 - Women in Energy Transitions Baku Dialogue, held concurrently with COP29, is designed to move beyond traditional social and moral obligations, advocating for a more inclusive and well-defined industry and workplace structure.

KEY THEMES IN OUR DISCUSSIONS

Our primary objective is to inspire and empower women as central contributors to the global energy transition by fostering inclusive corporate cultures, advancing gender equality, and enhancing leadership opportunities.

01

Champion Corporate Inclusivity
Exploring the redesign of corporate frameworks to support gender inclusivity, focusing on policies and strategies that have successfully integrated women at all levels within energy companies.

02

Elevate Women’s Leadership
Enhancing the visibility of women’s participation and leadership by discussing the development of inclusive workplace rules, flexible work arrangements, and cultural transformations that support diverse teams.

03

Invest in Future Talent
Fostering the growth of young women in the energy sector through mentorship programs, role model initiatives, and targeted investment in education and professional development across the world.

04

Engage Male Allies
Highlighting the role of male leaders in driving gender equality, addressing the barriers they face, and identifying practical approaches for them to support and contribute to inclusive workplace cultures
AGENDA AT A GLANCE (16 November 2024)

Women in Renewables Advisory Board Meeting

10:30 - 12:00 (90 mins)

Women in Renewables Advisory Board Meeting (Brunch Served)
  • The Women in Renewables Advisory Board Meeting is a pivotal gathering dedicated to shaping the future of the Women in Renewables Alliance. As Advisory Boards come together over a brunch, this session will focus on evaluating WiRA’s current initiatives and strategizing for future endeavors aimed at enhancing gender equality and empowering women within the sustainable energy sector.

Women in Energy Transitions Baku Dialogue

13:30 - 14:00 (30 mins)

Registration, Wristband Wearing, and Signature on the Background Wall

14:00 - 14:20 (20 mins)

Welcome Remarks by Women in Renewables Alliance and Co-host Organization
  • Ms. Yisha He, Chairperson, Women in Renewables Alliance

  • Ms. Selen İnal, Turkey Chapter Co-Lead, Women in Renewable Energy

  • Ms. Anchali Stapornwongkul, Deputy Head of the Division, Bilateral and Regional Climate and Energy Partnerships, German Federal Government; Representative, Women Energize Women

  • Ms. Lamé Verre, Co-Founder & Chair Advisory Board, Lean in Equity & Sustainability

  • Dr. Nick Wayth, Board Member, POWERful Women

14:20 - 14:40 (20 mins)

[Guest Honor Remark] Advancing Women’s Contribution in Energy Transitions – Global Expertise, Local Efforts

Discuss the synergy between global expertise and local efforts​

Integration of women leaders in Azerbaijan's energy sector

  • Ms. Irene Giner-Reichl, Senior Advisor, Global Women’s Network for Energy Transitions (*Virtual)

  • Ms. Rosalinde van der Vlies, Clean Planet Director, European Commission (*Virtual)

  • Dr. Abeer Al-Olayan, General Director, Saudi Ministry of Energy, Chief Executive Officer, Women and Energy Association (*Virtual)

  • Ms. Vusala Karimova, Deputy Vice President, Development and Production Operations, State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan

14:40 - 15:00 (20 mins)

[Story Sharing] Supporting Women as Energy Leaders: COP28 Implications and Prospects toward COP29

Presentation of successful corporate strategies for gender inclusivity

Real-world examples of transformation within energy companies

  • Eng. Nawal Alhanaee, Director of Future Energy Department, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure UAE

  • Ms. Maryam Rashed Al Mazrouei, Head, Development and Investment (CIS), Masdar

15:00 - 15:50 (50 mins)

[Leadership Panel] Impact Investments, Gender Equality and Sustainable Energy: Enabling More Women for More Energy Innovations

Moderator:

  • Ms. Yasemin Somuncu, Turkey Chapter Co-Lead, Women in Renewable Energy

Panelists:

  • Ms. Boyana Achovski, Secretary General, Gas Infrastructure Europe

  • Ms. Irina Gorbounova, Vice President M&A and Head of XCarb Innovation Fund, ArcelorMittal

  • Ms. Alicia Eastman, Co-Host, Everything About Hydrogen; Co-Founder and Board Member, InterContinental Energy

  • Ms. Ju Wang, Secretary General, International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association

  • Ms. Sarah Alharthey, Chairwomen, Youth Leadership Council, ACWA Power

  • Ms. Ivana Fernandes Duarte, Regional Country Manager, South Caucasus, IFC

15:50 - 16:10 (30 mins)

2024 IMPACT Ambassador Award Ceremony & MoU Signing on Pledge for Industry D&I

Recognition of outstanding contributions to gender empowerment in energy

Coffee Break

16:40 - 16:50  (10 mins)

[Keynote] Championing Changes: Male Leaders Roles and Perspectives in Supporting Women's Career Growth

What are the common barriers and challenges that men face in supporting gender equality, and how to overcome them

Practical approaches for men to contribute to building inclusive workplace cultures

16:50 - 17:40

(50 mins)

[Leadership Panel] Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders: Educate, Inspire, and Empower

Moderator:

  • Ms. Michelle Branigan, Chief Executive Officer, Electricity Human Resources Canada

Panelists:

  • Ms. Maria Flouda, Board Co-Chair & Sustainability Chair, Lean In Equity and Sustainability

  • Ms. Adriana Pinto, International Policy Expert, Águas de Portugal; EU representative, Women in Renewables Alliance

  • Ms. Eliza Chaney, Digital Engagement and Business Development Coordinator, CircularEco

  • Dr. Lana El Chaar, Vice President, Talent Management and Capacity Building, ACWA Power

17:40 - 18:00 (20 mins)

2024 IMPACT Campaigners Certificate Award Ceremony

Celebration of inspirational women driving progress and positive changes towards our sustainable future

18:00 - 19:00 (60 mins)

COP29 – Gender Diversity Networking
2024 Highlights

PROUDLY HOSTED BY

INITIATIVE PARTNER

DIVERSITY PARTNERS

More to be announced...

2024 Steering Committee
Yisha He
Women in Renewables Alliance

Yisha He

Chairwoman

Women in Renewables Alliance

Anchali Stapornwongkul
Women Energize Women;German Federal Government

Anchali Stapornwongkul

Representative

Women Energize Women;German Federal Government

Joanna Osawe
Women in Renewable Energy

Joanna Osawe

President & CEO

Women in Renewable Energy

Lame Verre
Lean in Equity and Sustainability

Lame Verre

Co-founder, Chair of the advisory board

Lean in Equity and Sustainability

Irene Giner-Reichl
Global Women's Network for the Energy Transition

Irene Giner-Reichl

Senior Advisor

Global Women's Network for the Energy Transition

2024 Women Impact Mentors
2024 IMPACT Ambassadors

The 2024 Impact Ambassdor distinction is a prestigious accolade reserved for outstanding female and male industry leaders who have not only achieved remarkable success in their careers but have also exhibited unwavering dedication to promoting a more equitable energy transition.

Eng. Nawal Alhanaee
Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure

Eng. Nawal Alhanaee

Director of Future Energy Department

Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure

Dr. Lana El Chaar
ACWA Power

Dr. Lana El Chaar

Vice President, Talent Management and Capacity Building

ACWA Power

Dr. Vusala Karimova
Dr. Vusala Karimova

Dr. Vusala Karimova

Deputy Vice President, Development and Production Operations

State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Ju Wang
Ju Wang

Ju Wang

Secretary General

International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association

Rosalinde van der Vlies
Rosalinde van der Vlies

Rosalinde van der Vlies

Clean Planet Director

European Commission

Maryam Rashed Al Mazrouei
Maryam Rashed Al Mazrouei

Maryam Rashed Al Mazrouei

Head, Development and Investment (CIS)

Masdar

Dr. Abeer Al-Olayan
Dr. Abeer Al-Olayan

Dr. Abeer Al-Olayan

Chief Executive Officer

Women and Energy Association

Sarah Alharthey
Sarah Alharthey

Sarah Alharthey

Executive Manager of Business Development, Chairwoman, Youth Leadership Council

ACWA Power

Boyana Achovski
Boyana Achovski

Boyana Achovski

Secretary General

Gas Infrastructure Europe

Ms. Adriana Pinto
Ms. Adriana Pinto

Ms. Adriana Pinto

International Policy Expert

Águas de Portugal

2024 Inclusion Accelerators 
Irina Gorbounova
ArcelorMittal Ltd

Irina Gorbounova

Head of Xcarb Innovation Fund

ArcelorMittal Ltd

Alicia Eastman
Everything About Hydrogen; Co-Founder and Board Member, InterContinental Energy

Alicia Eastman

Co-Host

Everything About Hydrogen; Co-Founder and Board Member, InterContinental Energy

2024 IMPACT Campaigners
Aida Sitdikova
European Bank of Reconstruction and Development

Aida Sitdikova

Director, Sustainable Infrastructure Group

European Bank of Reconstruction and Development

Tulika Raj
SunGreenH2

Tulika Raj

CEO & Co-Founder

SunGreenH2

Livia Zhang
ACWA Power

Livia Zhang

Project Finance and Investment Manager

ACWA Power

Eliza Chaney
CircularEco

Eliza Chaney

Digital Engagement and Business Development Coordinator

CircularEco

Ivana Fernandes Duarte
IFC

Ivana Fernandes Duarte

Regional Country Manager, South Caucasus

IFC

Asma Saeed Al bahjary
UV Energy Consultants

Asma Saeed Al bahjary

Project Control Manager

UV Energy Consultants

Denisa Fainis
Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA)

Denisa Fainis

Secretary General

Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA)

Selen İnal
Women in Renewable Energy

Selen İnal

Turkey Chapter Co-Lead

Women in Renewable Energy

Michelle Branigan
Electricity Human Resources Canada

Michelle Branigan

Chief Executive Officer

Electricity Human Resources Canada

Dalia Samir
Hydrogen Egypt

Dalia Samir

Co-Founder & Business Development Director

Hydrogen Egypt

Kiruthika Sadagopan
Reliance Industries Limited

Kiruthika Sadagopan

Lead-Green Hydrogen Business Strategy & BD

Reliance Industries Limited

Yasemin Somuncu
Women in Renewable Energy

Yasemin Somuncu

Turkey Chapter Co-Lead

Women in Renewable Energy

Joanna Kay
Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia

Joanna Kay

General Manager

Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia

Rethabile Serobe
ACWA Power

Rethabile Serobe

CFO Redstone Solar Thermal Power Plant

ACWA Power

Audrey Ma
REFIRE

Audrey Ma

Executive Director, Vice President, International Markets

REFIRE

Aynur Mahmudova
Women in Renewable Energy

Aynur Mahmudova

Azerbaijan Co-Chair

Women in Renewable Energy

Maria Flouda
Lean In Equity and Sustainability

Maria Flouda

Board Co-Chair & Sustainability Chair

Lean In Equity and Sustainability

Latifa Ali
ACWA Power

Latifa Ali

Business Development Manager

ACWA Power

Summer Chen
ERM

Summer Chen

Principal Consultant, Low Carbon Economy Transition

ERM

Inara Ahmadova
Women in Renewable Energy

Inara Ahmadova

Azerbaijan Co-Chair

Women in Renewable Energy

IMPACT MALE CAMPAIGNERS
Dr Nick Wayth CEng
POWERful Women

Dr Nick Wayth CEng

Chief Executive - Energy Institute; Board Member

POWERful Women

More to be announced...

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