Empowering Women and Youth to Accelerate Clean Energy Transition Implementation (CEM17 side event – In Person)

Achieving the global clean energy transition requires more than ambitious policies and technologies. It depends on leaders,
innovators, entrepreneurs, engineers, policymakers and skilled professionals who can translate commitments into implementation.
An inclusive, diverse and highly skilled workforce is therefore essential to accelerate clean energy deployment, strengthen energy
security, support industrial competitiveness and ensure that the benefits of transition are broadly shared.
The Clean Energy Ministerial recognizes the importance of people and skills in delivering clean energy transitions. Through the
Equality in Energy Transitions Initiative and the Empowering People Initiative, CEM members and partners advance gender
equality, leadership and workforce development. This session will connect those priorities with practical implementation pathways,
including skills development, mentorship, institutional partnerships and opportunities for women and young professionals to shape
clean energy policy, innovation and investment.
The event builds on the dialogue convened by UNIDO and the Women Energy Diplomacy and Leadership programme during the
WEDL II Forum in Vienna in June 2026. That exchange brought 21 Saudi women energy professionals to UNIDO headquarters to
discuss energy and industrial transformation, international cooperation, leadership and future skills.
CEM17 provides an opportunity to carry the discussion forward at ministerial level and move from dialogue to concrete
partnerships and follow-up actions.