Baku has hosted a major regional conference focused on strengthening the role of women in economic development, leadership and sustainability across Asia.
The gathering, held under the umbrella of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, brought together delegates from Azerbaijan alongside representatives from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Mongolia and Cambodia.
At its core, the event aims to move beyond rhetoric and explore practical ways to ensure women are more visible and influential in shaping the region’s future.
Opening the conference, Bahar Muradova, Chair of Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs, framed the discussion in economic terms. She stressed that boosting women’s participation in business and society is not simply a social goal, but a driver of long-term growth.
She pointed to the increasing presence of women in Azerbaijan’s workforce, now roughly half of the employed population, as evidence of progress, while underlining that more can be done, particularly in entrepreneurship and regional development initiatives.
Addressing participants, Leyla Aliyeva highlighted the broader societal impact of women’s participation. She described women as central to innovation and leadership across sectors, from science to community development, and emphasised that empowering them is essential for any modern economy.
She also welcomed the creation of a new institutional mechanism within CICA, expressing hope that it would turn “meaningful ideas into actions.”
A key milestone of the event was the inaugural meeting of the CICA Women’s Council, designed to strengthen coordination between governments and civil society.
According to CICA Secretary General Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, the council is intended to bridge gaps between policymakers and grassroots organisations. He stressed that meaningful progress depends on listening to real-world challenges and ensuring they inform decision-making.
He also noted that, despite advances across Asia, women remain underrepresented in politics, economic leadership, peacebuilding and climate discussions, making initiatives like this particularly timely.
The council concluded its first session by adopting a recommendation document, setting out priorities for cooperation and future action among member states.
Throughout the conference, discussions centred on practical opportunities and emerging challenges.
Panels explored the role of women in small and medium-sized enterprises, with a strong emphasis on how artificial intelligence and digitalisation can open new pathways for entrepreneurship.
Another major theme was environmental leadership, examining how women can play a greater role in sustainability efforts and climate-related decision-making.
A video address from Sima Sami Bahous, head of UN Women, reinforced the global significance of the initiative, praising the establishment of the Women’s Council as a step towards stronger regional cooperation.
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