Conference Invitation
On Thursday 27 June 2024, under the Official Patronage of the COP28 UAE Presidency, AIWF and WiSER will return once again to the Royal Academy of Engineering in London to connect young women leaders with change makers from the public, private, non-governmental organisation (NGO), STEM and environmental sectors for a highly interactive follow-up conference, ‘Building on the UAE Consensus: Women Leaders in Climate Action & Sustainable Development’. The Conference will take place as a parallel / side event during London Climate Action Week 2024 and aims to spotlight and explore the exciting and critical opportunities for women and young leaders to emerge from the landmark decisions made at COP28 and leading into COP29.
Over the course of the day, we will hear from some of the best and brightest business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and rising stars in sustainability and STEM, from the UK, US, Europe and across the MENA region, as they interact and exchange best practice, strategies and recommendations for bringing the UAE Consensus and Action Agenda to life and in the process, putting women at the heart of climate justice, action and dialogue. This inclusive and participative conference aims to deliver an actionable framework for empowering women and young leaders in climate action, innovation, technology and policy, aligned with international commitments on climate and the outcomes, opportunities and agreements reached at COP28. Panel sessions have been designed to bring into focus the key points from the UAE Consensus on the follow topics:
- Innovation in sustainable agriculture, food and water systems
- Implications and opportunities for AI in climate action
- Innovation in clean energy and the elimination of energy poverty
- Developing the capacity of youth climate champions and sustainability leaders
- Inclusive financing models for climate and sustainability research, innovation and entrepreneurship
As with all AIWF and WiSER events and initiatives, we look forward to welcoming distinguished business and civil society sustainability leaders from the UK and Europe, the UAE, MENA, Africa and internationally, both as panel speakers and as valued guest delegates. On this special occasion, we also look forward to welcoming key representatives from the COP28 Presidency in a high-level delegation from the UAE as well as representatives from the COP29 Organising Committee from Azerbaijan.
Please download the draft program below with an indication of invited and confirmed speakers (subject to change). The portal to register interest in attending this in-person conference in London on 27 June 2024 as a guest delegate opens on Earth Day, Monday 22 April 2024.
Opening Keynote Speakers, Session Chairs & Panel Speakers
Conference Background
In May 2023, ahead of the UAE hosting the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai in November last year, the Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF) and Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) joined forces to champion women’s collective spirit for innovation at a major one-day conference, ‘On the Road to COP28: Women-Led Innovation in Climate, Sustainability & STEM’. The event was held on 10 May 2023 at the Royal Academy of Engineering in London.
Following an MoU partnership signed on International Women’s Day 2021, AIWF and WiSER have pledged to foster and elevate links to benefit young women leaders in the UK, UAE and the MENA region. ‘On The Road to COP28’ was a major milestone in the AIWF x WiSER partnership, a unique and inclusive opportunity to facilitate new partnerships in the spirit of SDG17 (‘Partnerships for the Goals’) and to ensure that the voices of women and young leaders are front and centre in global conversations about climate action, food security, water resilience, clean energy, the future of work, responsible business, financing sustainability and innovation, and technology and the digital economy.
The May 2023 conference provided a platform for dialogue, discovery and cross-cultural business and leadership exchange in the run up to COP28. The initiative was designed to inspire women and youth to take the lead in addressing climate and sustainability challenges, opportunities and outcomes. It brought into focus how women are working to mitigate challenges to women’s leadership and inclusion in climate through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) innovation, education and entrepreneurship. The program aimed to advance innovative solutions to climate and sustainability challenges which disproportionately affect women and young people living in the MENA region.
The key learnings and recommendations that emerged from the panel sessions across five key tracks were captured in a report and recommendations published jointly by AIWF and WiSER in November 2023. The full report is available here and a summary of recommendations can be viewed here.
Following COP26 in Glasgow and COP27 in Egypt, the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference, held from 30 November to 13 December 2023 under the Presidency of the United Arab Emirates, was a pivotal step forward in ongoing global climate strategy and dialogue addressing climate change challenges. With over 85,000 participants, including more than 150 Heads of State and Government, among the representatives of national delegations, civil society, business, Indigenous Peoples, youth, philanthropy, and international organizations in attendance, central outcomes included enhanced commitments to emission reduction, with an emphasis on achieving net-zero targets by the mid-century. Nations collectively agreed to ramp up renewable energy adoption, phasing out fossil fuels in favour of sustainable alternatives. Financial frameworks were a focal point, with developed countries pledging increased support for climate finance, aiding developing nations in mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Significantly, COP28 underscored the urgency of integrating climate resilience into national policies, ensuring ecosystems and communities are fortified against climate-induced adversities. A notable advancement was the agreement on a ‘loss and damage’ fund, aimed at supporting vulnerable countries disproportionately affected by climate disasters. COP28 represented a renewed global consensus, setting a more ambitious and actionable roadmap for combating climate change and fostering sustainable development. This was also a landmark ’COP for Youth’, with the introduction at COP28 of a Youth Climate Champion for all future COPs highlighting the importance of involving younger generations in climate action discussions and acknowledging the vital role of youth as agents of change and the critical significance of their unique perspectives and participation on climate issues.
