ACWA Power organized the first regional Women in Power forum in Tashkent on March 6, ahead of International Women's Day on March 8. The event focused on opportunities for women in the alternative energy sector.
The highlight of the forum was a plenary session titled "Gender balance: a catalyst for economic growth in Uzbekistan." The session featured esteemed panelists such as Ceren Güven Güres, UN Women Country Program Manager in Uzbekistan; Gulnara Rakhimova, Deputy Minister of Finance of Uzbekistan; and Jamola Khusanjanova, Head of the Department of Foreign Economic Activity at the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan.
The panelists engaged in an insightful dialogue, discussing trends and opportunities for enhancing women's participation in the economy and energy sector, strategies for fostering inclusive work environments, and the economic advantages of promoting gender equality in businesses. The session was moderated by Sabina (Elmira) Bekmurodova, advisor to Eriell Group.
UN Women in Uzbekistan
Ceren Güven Güres, the UN Women Country Program Manager in Uzbekistan, gave comments to Daryo's correspondent, emphasizing the focus on Uzbekistan's gender equality initiatives during a recent discussion. She highlighted the collaborative effort with the Uzbek government to establish a dedicated women's office.
"Women's economic empowerment is our primary focus area, encompassing digital literacy, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship, alongside collaboration with the private sector. Additionally, we're partnering with other UN agencies to enhance legislation and improve implementation processes. Furthermore, we're addressing harmful social norms and gender stereotypes that hinder women's participation in the labor force. We believe these efforts will not only contribute to preventing violence but also provide better protection for women," Ceren states.
At a systematic level, UN Women is working with the Ministry of Economy and Finance on gender-responsive budgeting, aiming to allocate resources effectively for gender equality initiatives. This approach includes developing a tool for gender-responsive budgeting and promoting gender mainstreaming across ministries. Implementation and monitoring of gender action plans are also crucial, requiring sustained effort and collaboration across government agencies.
Güres underscored the importance of incorporating a gender lens into laws and policies and ensuring that implementation processes consider the needs of diverse groups. While acknowledging the complexity and challenges involved, she emphasized the significance of gender mainstreaming in achieving systemic change and advancing gender equality in Uzbekistan.
"I want to stress that gender equality isn't solely about women and girls. We constantly engage with girls, but where are the men today? They're part of the conversation too. After all, they make up half of our citizens," Ceren emphasized.
"At our facilities, we prioritize the creation of conducive environments for transparent career pathways and value the uniqueness of each employee as an integral component of our sustainable development policy. Our commitment to recognizing the role of women in the modern world is underscored by organizing events like 'Women in Power,' which inspire thousands of employees and partners globally. Through such initiatives, we aim to cultivate a talent pool for the alternative energy sector and reinforce women's presence in the industry," stated Firuza Mavlanova, Director of Human Resources Management and Culture at ACWA Power.
Despite women occupying only around 22% of jobs in the energy sector worldwide, with a slightly higher representation in renewable energy (32%), the demand for new personnel remains high, with the sector creating approximately one million jobs annually. By fostering open dialogues with women, providing avenues for learning and leadership development, ACWA Power seeks to benefit not only the energy sector but also contribute to the economic growth of the countries where it operates, including Uzbekistan.
Alimardon Abdukarimov, CEO at ACWA Power Riverside Solar, reflecting on his extensive experience abroad, highlighted a longstanding gender disparity within the energy and oil and gas sectors in a conversation with Daryo's correspondent.
He emphasized, "This isn't due to any lack of capability on women's part; indeed, they've proven themselves adept in roles ranging from civil engineering to management."
Recognizing a similar trend in Uzbekistan, ACWA Power prioritized gender equality, integrating it into company policies across all divisions and construction projects.
Abdukarimov emphasized, "We prioritize gender balance in recruitment, selection, and advancement, actively promoting women to senior positions."
Additionally, ACWA Power initiated a significant initiative to empower women in the energy sector, targeting energy colleges to attract more young women to the field.
The ultimate goal is to graduate more female engineers and provide them with opportunities in the workforce. Abdukarimov cited a recent example of the company's commitment, saying,
"We recently hired five female graduates at the solar power plant in the Toshket region, offering them valuable hands-on experience and a pathway to a successful career."
"Uzbekistan holds significant importance for ACWA Power, ranking second in terms of investment volume after Saudi Arabia. Organizing the inaugural Women in Power Forum in Tashkent is a testament to our ongoing commitment to supporting women in Uzbekistan's energy sector and beyond. We adhere to international standards and strive to empower each employee, irrespective of gender. Through this transformative platform, we aim to drive positive societal change, promote innovation, and foster sustainable economic growth in Uzbekistan by actively involving women across all spheres of society," remarked Jon Zaidi, Head of ACWA Power in Uzbekistan.
To commemorate the event, ACWA Power unveiled a unique icon – two interconnected rhombuses in the company's corporate colors, symbolizing the value and individuality of each person, regardless of gender.
About ACWA Power
ACWA Power specializes in the efficient utilization of renewable energy resources, financing, and operation of electricity and desalinated water production equipment. With approximately 3,500 employees, ACWA Power operates in 12 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Central, and Southeast Asia. The company's portfolio comprises 60 assets with a total investment value of $61.2 bn, generating 38.7 GW of electricity and 5.8 mn cubic meters of desalinated water daily.
Ahsen Saeed, Vice President of Finance at ACWA Power, explained to the Daryo's correspondent, the company's motivation for investing in green energy and sustainability in Uzbekistan.
"ACWA Power strategy is aligned with Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan governments to achieve a Net Zero emissions target by 2050. This vision has led us to prioritize investments in green energy worldwide. Our goal is to increase our invests in renewable energy projects," Saeed stated.
The focus has been on renewable energy, particularly harnessing wind resources as a major energy source.
Regarding challenges faced during the initiation of green energy projects in Uzbekistan, Saeed highlighted the exceptional support from the Uzbekistan government.
Saeed also emphasized, "The primary driver of growth is power. Uzbekistan has faced significant power shortages, and addressing this issue is paramount. Additionally, we have a considerable amount of outdated legacy assets, totaling around 6.5GW, that need replacement. This isn't just about improving efficiency; it's also about conserving gas, which is currently consumed domestically. By upgrading these assets, we not only ensure a more efficient power supply but also free up gas for export."
In Uzbekistan, ACWA Power is one of the largest investors in the economy, with a portfolio encompassing 14 alternative and renewable energy projects totaling investments exceeding $8.7 bn. Additionally, the company undertakes various social initiatives in the Republic and maintains a longstanding partnership with the Shirinsky Energy Vocational College.
Alimardon Abdukarimov revealed ACWA Power's latest endeavor, stating,
"Recently, ACWA Power embarked on an innovative Green Waste project in collaboration with the chemical industry. This pilot initiative, employing cutting-edge technologies, is among the first of its kind globally. Construction is slated to commence within the next 12 months, with an anticipated annual production of 3,000 tons of hydrogen and a capacity of 20 megawatts."
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