Azerbaijan's Harmoniya Initiative empowers female farmers amid climate challenges

On the sidelines of COP29, Yalchin Rafiyev, Azerbaijan’s lead negotiator, shared insights on the country’s efforts to address gender disparities in agriculture and strengthen international partnerships.

Speaking to Azernews, about gender disparities in agriculture, Y. Rafiyev highlighted Azerbaijan's newly inaugurated Harmoniya Climate Initiative. “The initiative that we have inaugurated today during the COP, Harmonia Climate Initiative, that Azerbaijan has worked out with the Food and Agriculture Organization, is exactly serving for that purpose, to ensure that women participate, the female farmers’ participation in the agricultural activities more, and to make sure that the women are less affected from the climate change,” he stated.

When asked about emerging international partnerships from COP29 that could benefit Azerbaijan’s agriculture sector, Rafiyev pointed to Azerbaijan’s strengthened collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). “With FAO, we had very good cooperation starting from the beginning of the year, but at the same time, since this COP is also labeled as a finance COP, many business sector, and private sector representatives are very much interested in the initiative that we have launched,” he noted.

Expressing optimism about the event's outcomes, Rafiyev added, “I am sure that this partnership will, after the COP, be an essential foundation for our continued engagement.”

The Harmoniya Climate Initiative not only underscores Azerbaijan’s commitment to gender equity in agriculture but also highlights its role as a key player in fostering international cooperation and sustainable solutions amid global climate challenges.