UNIDO Hosts CSW69 Event on Women’s Leadership in Green Economy

At the intersection of gender equality and green economy, women are emerging as key drivers for green innovation. This was the central theme of the side event held during the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) together with the Permanent Missions of Ethiopia and Austria to the United Nations in New York, in their capacity of co-chairs of the Group of Friends of inclusive and sustainable industrial development. Held in a hybrid format, at the United Nations Trade and Development offices at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the event gathered industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and project experts to explore the critical role of women in shaping sustainable industrial practices. 

The conversation could not have come at a more crucial time, with 2025 marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and a high-level review of SDGs 5 (gender equality) and 8 (decent work and economic growth) on the horizon. The event provided an important platform to showcase success stories, discuss challenges, and underscore the need for inclusive policies that place women at the forefront of industrial transformation. 

Ethiopia’s Minister of Women and Social Affairs, Ergogie Tesfaye, opened the discussion with a video address, highlighting the transformative impact of empowering women. “When we empower women, we empower entire communities,” she said, emphasizing that women-led businesses prioritize sustainability, drive social impact, and foster economic resilience. “To build an industry fit for the future, women must be at the forefront – not just as beneficiaries, but as leaders, innovators, and decision-makers.”  

Opening remarks were delivered by the Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations, Stefan Pretterhofer, the Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the United Nations, Samuel Isa Chala, and UNIDO’s Deputy to the Director-General and Managing Director, Cecilia Ugaz Estrada.  

Stefan Pretterhofer emphasized that empowering women strengthens communities and resilience, calling for transformative climate action that addresses gendered impacts and promotes women-led solutions. Samuel Isa Chala highlighted Ethiopia’s industrial parks as examples of inclusive progress, powered by renewable energy and zero-waste technologies. He stressed the need for partnerships and a skilled, inclusive workforce to lead green industries. Marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, Cecilia Ugaz Estrada stressed the importance of supporting women’s rights and leadership. She announced a new UNIDO publication showcasing gender equality success stories and noted that women still face barriers in the industrial sector, comprising just 40% of the workforce. 

The panel discussion, moderated by Aurelia Patrizia Calabrò, Director of UNIDO’s Division for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, featured experts who shared strategies for increasing women’s participation and leadership in green innovation.  

Lisa Ryden, Vice President of Corporate Social Sustainability at Tetra Pak, spoke on the importance of integrating social concerns, particularly gender issues, into the recycling and collection value chains. She emphasized the often-overlooked role of informal sector workers, especially women, in waste collection. Ryden discussed how Tetra Pak is working with their local partner to support these informal workers, who play a crucial part in recycling efforts but often face precarious working conditions and harassment. 

Arıkan Burcu, co-founder of Myconom, shared her journey as an entrepreneur in the green innovation industry. She discussed the experience she had in scaling her business, while emphasizing the need for more scale up and financial support for women-led startups in sustainable industries. Arıkan stressed that women entrepreneurs are essential to driving innovation in green materials. 

Taymour Ibrahim, National Expert for the Rabeha Programme at UNIDO, spoke about the program’s success in empowering women in rural Egypt by providing training and market access. He highlighted the importance of local community-based approaches and public-private partnerships in creating opportunities for women in green industries. 

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