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Why Climate Action and Women’s Empowerment Must Go Hand in Hand
- Crystal Sinclair
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
At a major international summit in Seville this July, leaders from two of the world’s biggest development banks sent a clear message: addressing climate change and empowering women must be top priorities for global development.
Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank and the first woman to hold this role, emphasized that empowering women is not only the right thing to do but also a smart economic decision. She described it as a no-brainer. Alongside Jin Liqun, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Calviño called for bolder, more flexible, and inclusive investments that tackle climate challenges while promoting gender equality.
Their comments came during the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. The event highlighted the urgent need for multilateral development banks to step up their efforts on climate resilience and gender empowerment, despite some criticism of the summit’s ambition and the absence of the United States, a major player in international aid.
Jin Liqun pointed out that the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank supports a broad definition of “climate-resilient” infrastructure. This includes not only traditional green projects but also digital, health, and education infrastructure — all essential to building sustainable communities.
Calviño shared an example of an innovative initiative that allows vulnerable countries to pause debt repayments after natural disasters. This kind of creative financial support can make a real difference for countries facing the immediate impacts of climate change.
Both leaders also addressed the importance of integrating gender considerations into investment decisions. Jin highlighted a rural road project in Ivory Coast that connected female farmers in isolated villages to markets, helping them sell products like cashews and coffee. This kind of empowerment creates economic opportunities and strengthens entire communities.
While the conference faced challenges, including political disagreements over language and funding, the voices of Calviño and Jin serve as a powerful reminder. Climate action and women’s leadership are not separate issues. When development banks prioritize both, they can unlock innovative solutions that create lasting change.
For those of us interested in leadership and sustainability, this message is clear: supporting women leaders and investing in climate resilience go hand in hand. It is a call to all of us to advocate for bold, inclusive progress on the global stage and in our own communities.
Read the full article on Reuters:
