Date: Wednesday, 29 November 2017

Time: 8:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Venue: Networking Zone (M-building, second floor)

 

Objective

This event will explore the gender dimension of inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID), looking closely at how to leverage partnerships to foster gender equality and women’s empowerment in industry within the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Abstract

How do UNIDO’s partnerships work towards making equality in industrialization a reality for women around the world? Gender equality and the empowerment of women are recognized by UNIDO and the international community as vital prerequisites for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UNIDO’s ISID mandate. In light of the General Conference’s overarching theme of “Partnering for impact in achieving SDGs,” the high-level event will facilitate a discussion between UNIDO Director General LI Yong, policymakers and business leaders on the opportunities and challenges to women’s participation in business, economic life and industrialization. The audience will also be able to ask questions to the panelists.

The event is open to all participants of the General Conference and can be viewed via a live webcast on UNIDO’s website.

Issues to be addressed

- The work done by UNIDO and its partners to support innovative, gender-responsive industrial development and to impart the necessary skills to empower women.

- How governments, the private sector, civil society and other important actors can open the way for more women to participate in and benefit from ISID?

- Key priority areas and actions where UNIDO and its partners are able to strengthen the role of women in industrial development, such as access to business development services, technology and innovation.

 

Moderator:

	Lucy Hockings
	International Broadcaster
	Lucy Hockings is a lead presenter on BBC World news, anchoring its flagship programme GMT. She has anchored coverage for the BBC on major news events of the past decade. Over the years, she has interviewed everyone from presidents and prime ministers to film stars and decision-makers.

Speakers:

	LI Yong
	Director General
	UNIDO
	LI Yong has had an extensive career as a senior economic and financial policymaker throughout which he has accorded great importance to fiscal and financial measures in favour of agricultural development and small and medium-sized enterprises, the cornerstones for creating economic opportunities, reducing poverty and promoting gender equality. DG Li is the Chair of the UNIDO Gender Mainstreaming Steering Board and an International Gender Champion.
	Mebrahtu Meles
	State Minister, Ministry of Industry
	Ethiopia
	Mebrahtu Meles has more than 18 years of management experience at both senior and executive levels in regional and federal private-sector supporting institutions. Previously held posts include Director General of the Regional Micro and Small Enterprise Development Agency and Deputy Head of Trade, Industry and Urban Development.
	Anne Meskanen
	Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women Issues and Gender Equality
	Finland
	Anne Meskanen leads Finland’s efforts to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women. Beginning her working life as a journalist and foreign correspondent, she went on to build an extensive career in diplomacy and global affairs within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, including as Finnish Ambassador in Afghanistan.
	Veronika Peshkova
	Board Member, Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Committee
	OPORA RUSSIA
	Veronika Peshkova is a strong advocate of public-private programmes for women’s entrepreneurship development. Peshkova is also Chair of the Public Diplomacy Foundation "Woman's View" and a co-organizer and mentor of the APEC-BEST Awards. She is a lecturer at Kingston University in London and at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.
	Ann Rosenberg
	Senior Vice President and Global Head
	SAP Next-Gen
	Ann Rosenberg drives innovation with purpose at SAP Next-Gen, which works to reimagine the future of industries, foster innovation with start-ups, and build skills for digital futures. Rosenberg is also a founding member of the UN Women Global Innovation Coalition for Change and a Global Stanford WiDS (Women in Data Science) ambassador and committee member.

For more information, please contact:

Hedda Öhlberger-Femundsenden

Gender Coordinator

UNIDO Office for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women

Email