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.
The United Arab Emirate said it was dealing with missile and drone attacks from Iran for the second day in...
A blast at a fireworks factory in China's Hunan province has killed dozens of people and inj...
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas’s planned visits to Yerevan and Baku framed the 8th European Political Community summit on 4 May, as Euro...
Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has warned that global energy supply disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict are likely ...
One of the region’s largest defence and aerospace exhibitions has opened in Istanbul, bringing together companies, officials and industry exp...
A blast at a fireworks factory in China's Hunan province has killed dozens of people and injured more than 60, prompting President Xi Jinping to call for a thorough investigation, state media reported on Tuesday.
Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has warned that global energy supply disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict are likely to persist.
One of the region’s largest defence and aerospace exhibitions has opened in Istanbul, bringing together companies, officials and industry experts from around the world.
The eighth European Political Community summit brought dozens of world leaders to Yerevan, signalling Europe’s deepening interest in the South Caucasus.
A 77-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman were killed on Monday (4 May), after a man drove a car into a crowd on a pedestrianised street in the the eastern German city of Leipzig, authorities said.
Iran warned Armerican forces on Monday (4 May) not to enter the Strait of Hormuz, after the U.S. said it had launched a mission to try and reopen the sea passage. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister said there was no military solution to the Middle East conflict.
The United Arab Emirate said it was dealing with missile and drone attacks from Iran for the second day in a row on Tuesday (5 May), despite denials from authorities in Tehran who threatened a "crushing response" if the UAE retaliated.
Medics are working to evacuate two people with symptoms of the deadly respiratory illness, hantavirus, from a luxury cruise ship being held off West Africa, after three people died and several others fell ill, officials have said.
The steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art were transformed once again into the world's most prestigious runway for the 2026 Met Gala. This year’s theme, 'Costume Art,' invited guests to explore the intersection of nature, history, and the surreal under the official dress code 'Fashion Is Art'.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas’s planned visits to Yerevan and Baku framed the 8th European Political Community summit on 4 May, as European leaders focused on fragile South Caucasus peace efforts and rising geopolitical tensions.
Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has warned that global energy supply disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict are likely to persist.
One of the region’s largest defence and aerospace exhibitions has opened in Istanbul, bringing together companies, officials and industry experts from around the world.
Energy transition, private sector development and regional cooperation are in focus at the Asian Development Bank’s 59th Annual Meeting in Samarkand, highlighting Central Asia’s growing role in regional and global economic dynamics.
The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has adopted a report warning of democratic backsliding in Georgia and raising the possibility of suspending visa-free travel if the government fails to change course.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment