2023 ADB Gender Forum — 2 Billion Changemakers: Women Leading on Climate Action in Asia and the Pacific
21 November 2023 to 22 November 2023
The 2023 Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Gender Forum: 2 Billion Changemakers – Women Leading on Climate Action in Asia and the Pacific was held from 21-22 November 2023 in Manila, Philippines to inform, influence, and inspire action on gender equality and climate change among stakeholders in Asia and the Pacific.
Around 300+ delegates joined from ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs), government agencies, development partners, the private sector, academia, civil society, the media, and women’s organizations involved in gender equality and climate change. It served as a platform to share and promote best practices on gender mainstreaming in climate-related initiatives, inspire innovation among participants, and advance the transformative nexus between Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5) on gender equality and SDG13 on climate action.
The 2023 ADB Gender Forum presented an opportunity for partners in both the public and private sectors to showcase their thought leadership and initiatives in gender equality, climate change, and other cross-cutting issues. Partners were able to leverage this dynamic event to increase their visibility and engage directly with ADB stakeholders. The forum provided opportunities for engaging with policymakers, economists, government officials, development practitioners, gender equality and climate change experts, and ADB staff to discuss the latest gender-related developments in policies, project implementation, and research, to explore how these advances can accelerate gender equality in the context of climate action in Asia and the Pacific.
The 2023 ADB Gender Forum followed a four-track sequential structure:
- Theme 1: Women in the Energy Transition
- Theme 2: Gender-Responsive Climate Adaptation
- Theme 3: Women in the Green Economy
- Theme 4: Gender-Responsive Private Sector-led Climate Action
Program and Learning Materials:
| Date | Session / Activity | Presentation Material | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Nov 2023 | 7:45 - 9:00 a.m. | Registration, Coffee, and Tea | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 9:00 - 9:40 a.m. | Opening of the 2023 ADB Gender Forum | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 9:00 - 9:40 a.m. | Emcees: | Maralmaa Munkh-Achit, Young Professional, Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 9:00 - 9:40 a.m. | Vivek Raman, Principal Knowledge Management Specialist, Department of Communications and Knowledge, ADB | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 9:00 - 9:40 a.m. | Welcome Remarks | Masatsugu Asakawa, President, ADB |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 9:00 - 9:40 a.m. | Opening Remarks | Bruno Carrasco, Director General, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 9:00 - 9:40 a.m. |
Keynote Speech This document links to the full copy of the Keynote Speech delivered byShaila Shahid, 2023 WIN DRR Leadership Awardee. |
Shaila Sahid |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 9:00 - 9:40 a.m | Overview of the Gender Forum | Samantha Hung, Director, Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 21 Nov 2023 | THEME 1 | Women in the Energy Transition | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | SESSION 1.1 | A Gender-Responsive Energy Transition: What it is and Why it Matters? | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 9:40 - 11:00 a.m. | Opening | Veronica Mendizabal Joffre, Senior Gender and Social Development Specialist, Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 9:40 - 11:00 a.m. | Setting the Scene | H.E. Lenny Rosalin, Deputy Minister, Gender Equality, Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, Republic of Indonesia (Virtual) |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 9:40 - 11:00 a.m. | Panel Discussion | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 9:40 - 11:00 a.m. | Moderator | Susann Roth, Advisor, Department of Communications and Knowledge, ADB |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 9:40 - 11:00 a.m. | Soma Dutta, Lead Gender and Energy Transition Expert, ENERGIA (Virtual) | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 9:40 - 11:00 a.m. | Cherrie Atilano, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, AGREA Agricultural Systems International, Inc. | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 9:40 - 11:00 a.m. | Jose Paolo Delgado, President and Chief Executive Officer, Delbros Group | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 9:40 - 11:00 a.m. | Molly Huang, Secretary General, Women in Renewables Alliance (WiRA), Head of Content & Corporate Responsibility at Leader Associates (Virtual) | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 9:40 - 11:00 a.m. | Winfried Wicklein, Director General, Southeast Asia Regional Department, ADB | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 9:40 - 11:00 a.m. |
[VIDEO] Special Remarks |
Vivi Yulaswati |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 11:00 - 11:15 a.m. | Coffee Break @ The Auditorium Gallery | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | SESSION 1.2 | How do we Make the Energy Transition Gender-Responsive? | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m | Opening and Introduction to Cases | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m | Moderator | Toru Kubo, Senior Director, Climate Change, Resilience and Environment Cluster, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m | Presentation of Cases and Q&A | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m |
Human Capital to Accelerating Energy Transition in Southeast Asia This presentation gave an overview of the Human Capital in Southeast Asia. |
Filda Yusigantoro |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m |
Mainstreaming Gender: The case of Indonesia’s State Electricity Company(PLN) This presentation gave an overview ofIndonesia’s State Electricity Company(PLN). |
Kamia Handayani |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m |
Indigenous Peoples Perspective in Just Energy Transition |
Robeliza Halip |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m |
Leveraging Climate Finance for Women's Leadership This presentation gave an overview of climate finance for women's leadership. |
Nina Kolybashkina |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m |
Net Zero by 2050 This presentation discussedustainability and impact to take place, we need three dimensions: people, planet and economic viability. She provided insights... |
Simarna Singh |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m | Case 6 | Rosemary Idem, Programme Manager, Women and Youth at the Forefront, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) (Virtual) |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m | Closing | Veronica Mendizabal Joffre, Senior Gender and Social Development Specialist, Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch @ The Executive Dining Room | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | THEME 2 | Gender-Responsive Climate Change Adaptation | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | SESSION 2.1 | How Can Women Drive Climate-Resilient Agriculture? | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Opening | Noelle O'Brien, Director, Climate Change, Climate Change, Resilience, and Environment Cluster, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. |
Setting the Scene |
Yasmin Siddiqi |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Panel Discussion | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Moderator | Mary Alice Rosero, Senior Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development), Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Azav Nomanov, Project Coordinator, Horticulture Value Chain Development Project, International Strategic Center for Agri-Food Development, Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Virtual) | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Clara Park, Senior Gender Officer and Co-Lead, Gender Equality Division, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. |
Gender-Responsive Climate Adaptation |
Ranjitha Puskur |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. |
Nexus of Climate Change, Gender-inequality and Ethnicity |
Warathida Chaiyapa |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. |
[VIDEO] Bangladesh Second Crop Diversification Project |
Yasmin Siddiqi |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Q&A | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Moderator | Mary Alice Rosero, Senior Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development), Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 3:00 - 3:15 p.m. | Coffee Break @ The Auditorium Gallery | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | SESSION 2.2 | Adapting to Increasing Heat Though Gender-Responsive Solutions | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. | Introduction to the Session | Zonibel Woods, Senior Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development), Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. |
Empowering Women in Dhaka North: ReducingHeat Vulnerability in Informal Settlements |
Bushra Afreen |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. | Panel Discussion | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. | Moderator | Zonibel Woods, Senior Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development), Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. | Abhiyant Tiwari, Lead - Health & Climate Resilience, Natural Resources Defense Council, India | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. | Ana Bonell, Associate Professor, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (Virtual) | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. | Bushra Afreen, Chief Heat Officer, North Dhaka, Bangladesh, Arsht-Rock | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. | Laxmi Sharma, Senior Urban Development Specialist, ADB (Virtual) | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. | Q&A | |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. | Moderator | Zonibel Woods, Senior Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development), Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 4:45 - 4:50 p.m. | Closing | Jinha Kim, Gender Specialist (Climate Change), Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 21 Nov 2023 | Closing of DAY 1 | ||
| 21 Nov 2023 | 4:50 - 5:00 p.m. |
[Video] Day One Summary |
Maralmaa Munkh-Achit, Vivek Raman |
| 21 Nov 2023 | 4:50 - 5:00 p.m. |
|
|
| 21 Nov 2023 | 5:00 p.m. | Cocktail Reception @ The Courtyard |
| Date | Session / Activity | Presentation Material | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Nov 2023 | 7:45 - 8:45 a.m. | Registration, Coffee, and Tea | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 9:00 - 9:05 a.m. |
Opening of the 2023 ADB Gender Forum |
Maralmaa Munkh-Achit, Vivek Raman |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 9:00 - 9:05 a.m. |
|
|
| 22 Nov 2023 | 9:00 - 9:05 a.m. |
|
|
| 22 Nov 2023 | THEME 3 | Women in the Green Economy | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | SESSION 3.1 | A Gender-Responsive Energy Transition: What it is and Why it Matters? | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 9:05 - 9:10 a.m. | Opening | Malika Shagazatova, Senior Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development), Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 9:10 - 9:30 a.m. | Setting the Scene | Rebecca Razavi, Head of Public Policy and Economic Graph, Regional Director, Asia-Pacific LinkedIn |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 9:30 - 9:45 a.m. | Q&A | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 9:30 - 9:45 a.m. | Moderator | Albert Park, Chief Economist ad Director General, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, ADB |
| 22 Nov 2023 | SESSION 3.2 | Green Jobs, Green Skills, and Green Entrepreneurship for Women | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. | Panel Discussion | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. | Moderator | Samantha Hung, Director, Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. |
Women in the Green Economy |
Alexander Tsironis |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. |
Mainstreaming gender equality in environmental policies for a green transition |
Dimitra Xynou |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. | Nalini Singh, Executive Director, Fiji Women's Rights Movement (FWRM) | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. | Natavan Mammadova, Chief Executive Officer, Azerbaijan National Confederation of Employers and Entrepreneurs Organizations | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. | Q&A | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. | Moderator | Samantha Hung, Director, Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 11:15 - 11:30 a.m. | Coffee Break @ The Auditorium Gallery | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | SESSION 3.3 | Stories from ADB's Developing Member Countries | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Panel Discussion | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Moderator | Tsolmon Begzsuren, Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development), Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
Fujian Farmland Sustainable Utilization and Demonstration Project |
Chen Chao |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Choikhand Janchivlamdan, Coordinator, Regional Technical Assistance on Accelerating Gender Equality in East Asia for an Inclusive and Green Recovery, Mongolia | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Shaunalee Katafono, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Oicer, Traseable Solutions | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Q&A | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Moderator | Tsolmon Begzsuren, Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development), Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Closing | Malika Shagazatova, Senior Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development), Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 22 Nov 2023 | THEME 4 | Gender-Responsive Private Sector-led Climate Actio | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | SESSION 4.1 | Levers Driving Gender Inclusive Initiatives in the Green Economy | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Opening and Introduction to the Breakout Rooms | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Discussions | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Room 1 | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Moderators |
Anne Valko Celestino, Senior Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development), ADB Kathy Mulville, Gender and Partnership Expert (Consultant),ADB |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. |
Sabrina Tan, Vice President of People and Impact, Lhoopa Inc. Devendra Chawal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Greencell Mobility |
|
| 22 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Moderators |
Amanda Satterly, Principal Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development), ADB Neeti Katoch, Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development), ADB |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. |
Erdenedelger Bavlai, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Khan Bank Bharat Joshi, Chief Financial Officer, Cimory Enkhbold Khaliun, Chief Administration Officer, E-Mart |
|
| 22 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Room 3 (Online) | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Moderators | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Xianshuang Zhang, Gender in Private Sector Operations Consultant, ADB | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Gisela Garzon De La Roza, Senior International Gender in Private Sector Operations Consultant, ADB | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. |
Shami Nissan, Partner and Head of Sustainability, Actis Fund (Virtual) Nuka Mshvidobaze, Chief Financial Officer, Georgian Renewable Power Holding (GRPH) (Virtual) |
|
| 22 Nov 2023 | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Session Takeaways | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 3:00 - 3:30 p.m. | Coffee Break @ The Auditorium Gallery | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | SESSION 4.2 | Spotlight on Gender-Inclusive Green Finance | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 3:30 - 3:35 p.m. | Introduction to the Session and WFX | Sabine Spohn, Principal Investment Specialist, Private Sector Financial Institutions Division, Private Sector Operations Department, ADB |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 3:35 - 3:40 p.m. | Opening Remarks | Suzanne Gaboury, Director General, Private Sector Operations Department, ADB |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 3:40 - 4:30 p.m. | Fireside Chats | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 3:40 - 4:30 p.m. | Interviewer | Sabine Spohn, Principal Investment Specialist, Private Sector Financial Institutions Division, Private Sector Operations Department, ADB |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 3:40 - 4:30 p.m. | Joana Pedro, Social Lead, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (Virtual) | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 3:40 - 4:30 p.m. | Interviewer | Anshukant Taneja, Principal Investment Specialist, Private Sector Operations Department, ADB |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 3:40 - 4:30 p.m. | Kamrul Tarafder, President and Chief Executive Oicer, ASA Philippines Foundation | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 3:40 - 4:30 p.m. | Interviewer | Gema Perez, Senior Investment Specialist, Private Sector Financial Institutions Division, Private Sector Operations Department, ADB |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 3:40 - 4:30 p.m. | Maya Kobalia, Head of Environmental and Social (E&S) Department, Crystal | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 3:40 - 4:30 p.m. | Interviewer | Anne Valko Celestino, Senior Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development), Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 3:40 - 4:30 p.m. | Biao Huang, Principal Investment Specialist, Private Sector Financial Institutions Division, Private Sector Operations Department, ADB | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 4:30 - 4:40 p.m. | Closing | Sabine Spohn, Principal Investment Specialist, Private Sector Financial Institutions Division, Private Sector Operations Department, ADB |
| 22 Nov 2023 | Closing Ceremonies | ||
| 22 Nov 2023 | 4:40 - 5:00 p.m. |
[Video] Final Day Recap |
|
| 22 Nov 2023 | 4:40 - 5:00 p.m. | Maralmaa Munkh-Achit, Young Professional, Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 4:40 - 5:00 p.m. | Vivek Raman, Principal Knowledge Management Specialist, Department of Communications and Knowledge, ADB | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 4:40 - 5:00 p.m. | Tofu Creatives | |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 4:40 - 5:00 p.m. | Closing of the 2023 ADB Gender Forum | Fatima Yasmin, Vice-President (Sectors and Themes), ADB |