Par Robert Kalindiza, from Malawi, attending the COP29 in Baku City

People from all walks of life gathered in Baku City, Azerbaijan, with a central focus on climate finance. The conference brought together nearly 200 countries and reached a breakthrough agreement that will triple finance to developing countries from the previous goal of USD 100 Billion annually to USD 300 Billion by 2035.

During one of the side meetings an organization called Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF), an official partner of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), commended Malawi for being exemplary in putting women in critical and decision-making positions, especially those impacting climate change. WECF invited Malawi to a prize presentation ceremony aimed at supporting gender and climate justice initiatives.

In her remarks, Deputy Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Janet Banda, SC, thanked the organization for underscoring what Malawi is doing. “In a bid to empower women in climate action, His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, launched the Women in Climate Action Network in 2021 to ensure that women take charge of issues that affect them most. This is a sign of seriousness,” she added.

In her remarks, executive director for WESF, Sascha Gabizon, said sustainable development and climate action cannot succeed without integrating gender equity. She added that the way female delegates represented Malawi at COP29 reflects how women are valued as critical agents of resilience and innovation. 

“The organization trained the first five female swim teachers and lifeguards in Mozambique, as well as certified the first female scuba divers in the region. The project has a great impact on sustainable entrepreneurship via innovative women-led mussels’ aquaculture cooperative which ensures economic autonomy and creates jobs,” she said.

Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Michael Biziwick Usi, was at COP29, where among others, he called on Malawi delegates at the summit to represent the interests of Malawians during the summit.

Conference of the Parties, popularly known as COP, is an annual meeting of the United Nations member states aimed at addressing Climate Change. COP is based on the international treaty called the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The 2024 COP29 is the 29^th meeting of the Conference of Parties hence COP29. This year’s meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, brought together countries to negotiate and advance solutions for climate change mitigation, adaptation and financing.