Amman (Feb 1) – USAID Takamol- Gender Program in collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU) and the Jordanian Ministry of Environment are conducting the first-ever gender and climate change conference from February 1-3, 2016, at the Kempinski Amman Hotel. The opening event today included panel discussions that will be followed by two-day technical conversation meetings. USAID Deputy Mission Director Lewis Tatem, H.E. Minister of Environment Dr. Taher Shakhshir, and ASU’s Dr. Rajesh Buch provided the opening remarks by highlighting the intersection between climate change and gender in light of Jordan’s drive to accelerate its green growth initiatives in response to the 21st annual Conference of Parties  (COP 21) held in Paris in December.

Through multi-stakeholder dialogues and exchanges of knowledge and best practices, Takamol hopes to facilitate the development of a policy paper and action plan to enhance national capacity and mainstream gender within climate action policies and plans with special emphasis on the National Climate Change Policy, the Green Economy Strategy and Sectoral Roadmaps, the Energy Master Plan, and the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan among others. Guest speakers from ASU provided international best practices and shared knowledge on gender and climate change linkages within various contexts. Jordanian speakers and participants provided local knowledge and experience and, more importantly, discussed practical steps needed to implement recommended interventions.

“The success of this conference is in bringing together an action plan for institutionalizing efforts to increase gender equity in climate action in Jordan, something that Jordan would pioneer in the Arab region as a whole,” concluded USAID Deputy Mission Director Lewis Tatem.

“We are honored to have a seat at this table to share the expertise of Arizona State University.  We hope to contribute to impactful and innovative solutions to the social, environmental and economic challenges of this region, specifically around the implications of climate change on gender” said Dr. Gary Dirks, executive director for the ASU Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability.

Despite the increased pressure on its fragile natural resources, Jordan is one of the most active countries in the MENA region when it comes to fulfilling its global environmental commitments. Within Jordanian communities, women are leaders and change makers who would benefit from stronger integration between gender mainstreaming and sustainable development concepts. Scientists and engineers fall behind in understanding and addressing gender implications. Likewise, gender advocates do not relate to the potential in environment and climate change. Bringing all groups together completes stakeholder representation and allows for more comprehensive dialogue.