On 12 August, the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD), Asian Population and Development Association (APDA), and Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination of Pakistan co-organized the AFPPD Standing Committee Meeting on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment: Regional Parliamentarians’ Meeting on Gender Empowerment for a Green Economy¹ in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. This event took place with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Japan Trust Fund (JTF) and the cooperation of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and was attended by over 300 delegates, including parliamentarians, government officials, representatives from international organizations, NGOs, youth groups, and media from Asia and around the world.

The opening ceremony was first addressed by Hon. Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change, who played a pivotal role in convening this meeting. Hon. Alam welcomed the participants and set the tone for the meeting by highlighting Pakistan's ongoing efforts to integrate gender perspectives into national climate policies. Hon. Abe Toshiko, State Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology emphasized that gender equality and environmental sustainability are deeply interconnected and that gender equality and women's empowerment are crucial to the achievement of key targets of the SDGs. Given that progress has been uneven, with certain countries lagging behind in specific areas, she encouraged participants, through AFPPD’s platform such as this, to continue to unite and drive progress in these areas by sharing policy initiatives and legislation against gender inequality and forming partnerships. H.E. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, noted that the theme, “Gender Empowerment for a Green Economy”, is timely and essential and expressed his hoped that all participants would engage in constructive dialogue, take lessons back to their respective countries, and work towards building a future where women and girls thrive in a just and sustainable world.

The thematic sessions that ensued underscored the importance of the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action with a focus on gender equality, women’s critical role and empowerment in responding to global crises such as climate change, and promotion of women’s economic participation. The discussions raised persistent barriers, as well as legislative frameworks and policy reforms that were needed to address these challenges. The conference concluded with the adoption of the Islamabad Declaration as a course of action toward a gendered green economy.

On the following day, 13 August, the delegates visited the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Pakistan's premier agency responsible for overseeing disaster management activities, and paid a courtesy call to H.E. Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Chair of the Senate. H.E. Gilani congratulated the delegates on the success of such a significant and impactful conference integrating gender perspectives into environmental and economic policies, which would help build a sustainable and inclusive future.

1 UNEP defines a green economy as one that improves human well-being and social equity while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. UNEP (2011). “Towards a Green Economy: Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication”. (Available from http://www.unep.org/greeneconomy ).

■ Inter Press Service (IPS)
Empowering Women for a Green Future: AFPPD Conference Tackles Climate Change and Gender Equality | Inter Press Service