Azerbaijan brought up the topic of women's empowerment and the adaptation of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to the green transition at a side event held at the UN headquarters in New York.

According to Report, the event also highlighted Azerbaijan's socio-economic development and reconstruction work in the liberated territories.

A side event hosted by Azerbaijan was held at the UN Headquarters in New York within the framework of the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69). The roundtable was organized on the topic "Baku Climate Coalition - SME Green Transition: Women's Empowerment."

The event was jointly organized by the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of Azerbaijan (KOBIA), the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Permanent Mission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the UN.

The roundtable was attended by Zehra Zumrut Selcuk, Director General of the SESRIC and former Minister of Family, Labor and Social Services of Türkiye; Ambassador Tofig Musayev, Azerbaijan's Permanent Representative to the UN; Rufat Atakishiyev, Deputy Chairman of the Board of KOBIA; Jeyran Rahmatullayeva, Chief of Staff of the State Committee of Azerbaijan for Family, Women and Children Affairs; Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC); Ambassador Hamid Ajibaiye, OIC Permanent Observer to the UN; and representatives of UN agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) accredited to United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The roundtable was moderated by Atilla Karaman, representative of the SESRIC.

Speaking at the event, Jeyran Rahmatullayeva stated that one of Azerbaijan's five national priorities for socio-economic development until 2030 has been defined as Clean Environment and Green Growth Country.

She informed the participants about the reconstruction work carried out in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories and specific measures implemented to transform the region into a green energy zone: "After gaining independence in the early 1990s, Azerbaijan was subjected to occupation and aggression. After resolving the 30-year conflict, our country has restored its sovereignty and territorial integrity, creating conditions for thousands of citizens to return to their native lands. Azerbaijan is building new settlements in the liberated territories based on smart city and smart village concepts, creating a green energy zone in the region."

Rahmatullayeva noted that 2024 was declared as Green World Solidarity Year in Azerbaijan.

She emphasized that training in economics and management for women has been conducted within the framework of the National Action Plan on Gender Equality prepared by the State Committee of Azerbaijan for Family, Women and Children Affairs.

Rahmatullayeva underlined that as a result of policies aimed at developing human capital in the country, women have become more actively integrated into society and state affairs: "Currently, women make up 48% of the total workforce in Azerbaijan, and women entrepreneurs constitute 23%."