The 12th Global Baku Forum, organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center under the patronage of President Ilham Aliyev, continued on Saturday with several panel sessions.
One of the panels, moderated by Katalin Bogyay, President of the UN Association of Hungary, founder of the "Women4Diplomacy" Movement, President of the 36th session of the UNESCO General Conference, and former Ambassador of Hungary to the UN and UNESCO, focused on the theme of "Gender-Security-Climate Nexus."
During the session, Vaira Vike-Freyberga, former President of Latvia (1999-2007) and Co-Chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, emphasized that every global event has an impact on women. She stressed that if meaningful improvements are to be made, the support of women is essential. Vike-Freyberga highlighted the disproportionate impact of wars and disasters on women, noting that women in certain geographical areas are particularly vulnerable. "The scarcity of food affects women more than men. Women working in agriculture often face poverty and challenges like water shortages, sometimes having to travel long distances for water, which exposes them to further risks," she added.
She called for more focused and comprehensive efforts to raise awareness, stressing that these efforts should lead to tangible outcomes, not just slogans.
Former Greek Prime Minister (2009-2011) George Papandreou discussed how women tend to use financial resources more constructively and productively than men. "Environmental impacts disproportionately affect women and other vulnerable groups. They are often in weaker positions in society, and this situation tends to worsen. There is a need for global measures that not only ensure women's participation but also support their efforts," he noted, adding that women often play a key role in uniting communities through education and training.
Moushira Khattab, President of Egypt's National Council for Human Rights, Executive President of the KEMET Boutros Ghali Foundation for Peace and Knowledge, and former Minister of Family and Population of Egypt (2009-2011), pointed out the Security Council’s “Women, Peace, and Security” agenda. She stated that now is the time for the Security Council to seriously implement its action plan, which could help address women's roles in the Middle East, Europe, and other regions.
Khattab also remarked, "The climate crisis is truly a threat to our existence, and women are among those who suffer the most from it – not just as citizens but also as women, mothers, and individuals."
Farida Allaghi, former Ambassador of Libya to the European Union and Senior Adviser to HRH Prince Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, noted the current global conflicts that force many women to live in conditions of armed conflict. "I firmly believe that what we need today is action, not just words. We must support women, children, and vulnerable populations and raise a new generation of active women and men," she emphasized.
The panel session continued with further discussions.
