On 4-5 September 2017, ISEDC Executive Director Yury Posysaev and ISEDC Head of Section of educational activities Aleksander Antonov visited Astana EXPO-2017 to take part in the 12th and final series of conferences of Future Energy Forum and present the Centre’s next biennial Activity Report.
On 5 September 2017, during the 12th and final series of conferences “Creating Our Future” of Future Energy Forum a plenary session took place devoted to topical issues related to ensuring gender equality and promoting the growth of women's opportunities in the energy sector. It should be noted that the issues of gender equality along with the development of African continent are among the main priorities of UNESCO's activities. ISEDC Executive Director Yury Posysaev was invited to participate in the plenary session by the co-organizer of the event – UNESCO Cluster Office (Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan).
The panel discussion was moderated by Dr Osman Benchikh, UNESCO Commissioner at EXPO-2017. Besides, the plenary session was attended by Ms Elaine Conkievich – UN-Women Representative, Head of UN-Women Multi-Country Office in Central Asia, Ms Natalia Alexeeva – Head of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Central Asia, Dr Nassipkul Djussembekova – Head of the Energy and Environment Engineering Department at German-Kazakh University and Ms Makpal Mukhamejanova – Director of the Corporate Development Department, “Samruk-Energo”.
The plenary session with participation of the above-mentioned experts became an effective multinational platform to discuss existing challenges and opportunities for female practitioners in the energy sector and related sectors, who start a career and continue their professional development over a number of years. Participants of the session discussed current challenges for women in the study of natural sciences: concrete measures that could to be taken to ensure that the study of the sciences in the field of energy will be more accessible to young women-scientists and also necessity of development of programs to provide networking opportunities and foster career of women in the energy industries.
The speakers presented reports about mains activities of their organizations. Mr Posysaev presented main results and activities of International Sustainable Energy Development Centre under the auspices of UNESCO and acquainted the audience with research activities of the Centre in the field of sustainable energy development and ecology.
Moreover, ISEDC Executive Director presented detailed information about the key international project in the field of cooperation between ISEDC and UNESCO – the UNESCO/ISEDC Co-Sponsored Fellowships Programme for young professionals from developing countries, LDCs and countries in transition.
Following the results of the plenary session, the expert speakers made conclusions and presented recommendations on the promotion of women's professional potential in the energy sector:
=> to raise awareness and enhance knowledge on women’s participation and their contribution to the development of energy industry;
=> to forge new ideas and networks for building leadership capabilities of women in the energy sector;
=> to encourage women to pursue their careers in the energy sector through providing trainings and study programmes, creating funds for women researchers in the energy sector.
The experts’ recommendations and conclusions will be included in the final version of the Astana EXPO-2017 Manifesto of Values and Principles – the main document/legacy of the Future Energy Forum of Astana EXPO-2017. The Manifesto will be an expression of common aspirations, recommendations, proper solutions for building sustainable future for present and future generations, in which modern, environmentally friendly, affordable and reliable energy sources will dominate.
After the plenary session, Yury Posysaev and Aleksander Antonov held a meeting with all interested participants of the panel discussion (students, young researchers, representatives of various companies) to present them more detailed information about the UNESCO/ISEDC Co-Sponsored Fellowships Programme.
During the final week of EXPO-2017, in particular in the framework of the official UNESCO representation at EXPO, ISEDC presented its next biennial Activity Report on the results and activities for 2016-2017.
During the presentation of the Activity Report, it was specifically noted that sustainable energy development is one of the most important conditions for a stable growth of the world economy. Ensuring clean, efficient, affordable and reliable energy services, along with intensifying efforts to combat climate change and prevent the adverse effects of climate change, and also the development and strengthening of human capacity building are key aspects for global prosperity and sustainable development.
Three out of seventeen UN Sustainable Development Goals, namely SDG 7 “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”, SDG 13 “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts” and SDG 4 “Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning”, represent the basis for competence of the International Sustainable Energy Development Centre under the auspices of UNESCO, and the Centre aims to make its feasible contribution to achievement of these SDGs. ISEDC will continue to actively use its expertise potential to help address these challenges.
Looking back, in the framework of cooperation with UNESCO every two years ISEDC presents its Activity Reports on the main results and activities over a two-year period. Earlier, in 2011, 2013 and 2015 ISEDC Activity Reports were presented at the meetings of Executive Board and General Conference of UNESCO in Paris.
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