DUSHANBE, Tajikistan

On 29 May, SRSG Kaha Imnadze participated in the opening event of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus (CAWLC) under the chairmanship of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Convened within the framework of the High-Level International Conference on Glacier Preservation, the event marked the commencement of Tajikistan’s leadership of the CAWLC for the year 2025.

Under the overarching theme of “Women in Glacier Preservation,” the Forum discussed a critical role of women in climate adaptation and mitigation, with a particular focus on the consequences of glacier melt in the region. Two dedicated panel sessions highlighted successful women-led climate initiatives and explored pathways for enhanced gender-sensitive environmental governance.

One of the key outcomes of the Forum was the adoption of the CAWLC Action Plan for 2025, outlining strategic priorities for the current year, including strengthened engagement on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), climate resilience, and regional cooperation.

In his address, SRSG Imnadze congratulated the Republic of Tajikistan on assuming the chairmanship of the Caucus and emphasized the importance of continuity and institutional strengthening of this regional platform.

SRSG Imnadze also reaffirmed UNRCCA’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Caucus, particularly in its efforts to contribute to the development of a regional WPS Action Plan and to ensure the meaningful engagement of women, including those from Afghanistan, in regional decision-making processes.

As the CAWLC embarks on a new phase under Tajikistan’s chairmanship, the Forum in Dushanbe underscored the platform’s growing influence in integrating gender equality into regional and global climate and security agendas.