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• WiSER Pioneers Program aims to empower the next generation of women sustainability leaders

• Young women professionals aged 25 to 35 are invited to apply for the year-long program

• 130+ young women from 30+ nationalities have participated in the prestigious Pioneers Program since its launch in 2018

Women in Sustainability, Environment, and Renewable Energy (WiSER) – a global initiative established by the UAE’s two leading sustainability champions, Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize – has opened applications for its 2025 WiSER Pioneers Program.

First launched in 2018, the year-long WiSER Pioneers Program offers women from across the world access to bespoke educational workshops and global networking opportunities with industry experts, supporting them to reach their full potential.

Empowering young women to take a leading role in the global transition to a net-zero future, the Program provides participants with a platform to make their voices heard and equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead meaningful change.

The WiSER Pioneers Program is open to women aged 25 to 35 who are currently employed or self-employed with a degree in a field related to the environment, energy, sustainability, or science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, with a minimum of two years of work experience.

Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director for Brand & Strategic Initiatives, Masdar, and Program Director of WiSER, said:

The multi-disciplinary WiSER Pioneer Program encompasses a number of key activities that focus on skill acquisition and enhancement, career advancement and networking opportunities. These include tailor-made workshops and training sessions aimed at enhancing skills in sustainability, clean energy, and leadership.

Pioneers have the opportunity to participate in the annual WiSER Cares initiative, an active learning experience focused on promoting community development through cultural exchange. The 2024 WiSER Cares trip saw 18 women complete a five-day course on adaptive agriculture in Marrakesh, Morocco.

WiSER’s mentorship scheme also plays a pivotal role in helping Pioneers advance their careers, through one-to-one mentoring sessions with senior figures from various industries.

In addition, WiSER actively participates in global events and conferences such as Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and COP, providing a platform for Pioneers to learn, contribute to global discussions, and connect with industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability professionals.

Reflecting on the program, Hind Alhosani, a 2023 Pioneer from the UAE said: “The program’s focus on empowering women in the energy sector aligned perfectly with my passion for promoting gender equality and contributing to the global transition to a net-zero future. As a WiSER Pioneer, I had the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded professionals, participate in high-impact projects, and contribute to meaningful change in the global energy landscape. Additionally, the mentorship and knowledge exchange within the program have been invaluable. ”

Praise for the program also came from Sandra Leyva, a 2024 Pioneer from Mexico: “The WiSER Pioneers program is a community of women leaders who understand that the challenges we face demand more than incremental change. Through WiSER, I’ve gained tools, expanded my network, and been given a platform to drive this transformation. I am learning from disruptive leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and I am collaborating with fellow pioneers who are with me on the journey of finding our voice as an advocate for the policies and practices that will carry us forward. ”

The 2025 WiSER Pioneers will be the eighth cohort of the initiative. To date, more than 130 professional women representing more than 30 nationalities have graduated from the WiSER Pioneers Program.

WiSER is a global initiative dedicated to empowering women to be drivers of sustainable change and innovation. WiSER is born of the UAE leadership’s longstanding and continuing commitment to the role of women; a commitment traced directly back to the vision of the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Aligned to global net-zero goals, WiSER is also rooted in a recognition that more needs to be done to support women in the global mission to tackle climate change.

For further information on WiSER visit: https://masdar.ae/en/strategic-global-initiatives/wiser

To apply for the 2025 WiSER Pioneers Program visit: https://masdar.my.site.com/WISER 

• WiSER Cares program completes a five-day course on adaptive agriculture in Marrakesh, Morocco.

• Course focused on addressing three core climate challenges facing the agriculture sector: water scarcity, soil degradation and erosion, and invasive pests and diseases.

• Eighteen WiSER Pioneers and local participants discovered invaluable insights into climate-resilient adaptive agriculture.

Women in Sustainability, Environment, and Renewable Energy (WiSER) - a global initiative established by the UAE’s two leading sustainability champions, Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize - has successfully completed the latest instalment of its WiSER Cares program.

Taking place in Marrakesh, and entitled, “Adaptive Agriculture: Innovations in Technology and Practice for Water-Scarce Communities," the course formed part of WiSER's multidisciplinary program to engage members in sustainable community development.

Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Masdar’s Executive Director of Brand & Strategic Initiatives and WiSER Program Director emphasized the direct impact of the course on the participants’ understanding of water access issues: “We are proud to offer the WiSER Cares course in Morocco as part of Masdar’s long-running effort to empower and equip young women with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead their communities and the world in building a more sustainable future.

“Through our core pillars of education, engagement and empowerment, WiSER Cares aims to provide courses that enhance the practical, theoretical and leadership skills of women through cultural exchange and building connections through a sustainability lens that works to accelerate the clean energy transition in rural off-grid communities,” added Dr. Fawwaz.

The course, led by global and local experts, focused on addressing three core climate challenges facing the agriculture sector: water scarcity, soil degradation and erosion, and the threat posed by invasive pests and diseases. It brought together 18 women – 13 WiSER Pioneers and 5 Moroccan professionals – to discover invaluable insights into the power of climate-resilient adaptive agriculture.

Organizations engaged included the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Fondation Mohammed VI Pour La Protection De L’Environnement, National Institute of Research in Agronomy (INRA) CRRA, Museum Mohammed VI for the Water Civilization, CIPA-Pierre Rabhi Farm, and Gardens of Jnane Tamsna.

Participants were guided through a program of lectures and practical exercises, including site visits to farms, research centres, and agribusinesses. The immersive hands-on experience offered participants a firsthand look at the climate challenges faced by water-scarce communities. This facilitated discussions on a wide range of agriculture adaptation strategies aimed at tackling food insecurity and increase economic independence.

"This course provided an invaluable opportunity to learn about the innovative approaches used by various communities, institutions and pioneering civil organizations in adaptive agriculture and apply those lessons to real-world challenges," said Tosin George, Solar Operations Consultant at Garfana Energy and 2024 WiSER Pioneer. "I will take many important learnings and insights back to my community, and this will help prepare us better for the climate challenges that we are facing."

The program concluded with workshops on planting and harvesting, a demonstration of how solar energy can be harnessed for water pumping and conservation, as well as a visit to the Museum of the Water Civilization in Marrakesh, which focused on traditional water management and community engagement.

“We were thrilled to offer this immersive learning experience as part of the WiSER Cares initiative,” said Dr. Redouane Choukrallah, Senior Professor, Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center (AIITC) and University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P). “Equipping the next generation of female leaders with the knowledge and tools to tackle climate challenges is crucial for building resilient, food secure communities.”

WiSER is a global initiative dedicated to empowering women to be drivers of sustainable change and innovation. WiSER is born of the UAE leadership’s longstanding and continuing commitment to the role of women; a commitment traced directly back to the vision of the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Aligned to global net-zero goals, WiSER is also rooted in a recognition that more needs to be done to support women in the global mission to tackle climate change.

First launched in 2018, WiSER Pioneers is a year-long program hosted annually that offers women from across the world, aged 25 to 35, access to bespoke educational workshops and global networking opportunities to inspire sustainability leadership.

• Female entrepreneurs, academics, thought leaders and business executives to convene for WiSER panel sessions on 18 April

• Panels to focus on empowering female entrepreneurs and the importance of mentorship in promoting gender equality in climate action

• Program reinforces WiSER’s commitment to core pillars of education, engagement, and empowerment

Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) - Masdar’s global initiative that champions women as drivers of sustainable change and innovation – will be placing female entrepreneurs and mentors center stage at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES).

In an afternoon of dedicated programming at the Masdar Pavilion on April 18, three panels will explore innovative solutions and opportunities in climate finance for female entrepreneurs, highlight the transformative role of female mentorship in fostering leadership and promoting diversity and inclusion, and examine the nexus between SDG5 and environmental action to ensure women's perspectives from the Global South are integrated into policy and practice.

Bringing together female entrepreneurs, thought leaders, business executives and academics, WiSER’s program at WFES aims to enlighten, challenge and inform audiences as part of WiSER’s commitment to addressing the under-representation of women in the renewable energy sector and highlighting the barriers they face in accessing climate finance and education.

Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director for Brand & Strategic Initiatives, Masdar, and Program Director of WiSER, said:

WiSER, a Masdar initiative, was established as a result of the UAE leadership’s longstanding commitment to the role of women; a commitment traced back to the vision of the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Aligned with the UAE’s net-zero goals, WiSER is rooted in a recognition that more needs to be done to support women in the global mission to tackle climate change. 

Hosted by Masdar, WFES is the leading business event for future energy, clean technology and sustainability and takes place from April 16-18 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

The Masdar Pavilion will be situated in Hall 5 at ADNEC. Full details of WiSER’s program at WFES can be found here.

• Global Summit hosted in partnership with COP28 UAE Presidency to convene high-level speakers from public sector, private sector, NGOs, and leading academic institutions.

• WiSER champions women as leaders of sustainability, with a focus on education, engagement, and empowerment, supporting the COP28 Presidency’s commitment to advance Sustainable Development Goals.

• Supports future and current female leaders, WiSER seeks to integrate gender equality into climate change agendas, for a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient future for all.

Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) - Masdar’s global initiative that champions women as leaders of sustainable change - will co-host The Arab Women Leaders’ Summit in the Green Zone at COP28 on December 4.

Held under the theme, “Gender Inclusion and Climate Change: Advancing Equality for a Resilient Future”, the Summit will explore the critical relationship between gender equality and climate action.

Bringing together a diverse program of participants including researchers, activists, policymakers and civil society representatives, the Summit will convene high-level speakers including H.R.H. Princess. Lamia Bint Majed Saud AlSaud, Secretary-General, AlWaleed Philanthropies, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Barbara Rambousek, Director, Gender and Economic Inclusion, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Participants at the half-day event will work together to identify challenges, share best practices, and develop strategies to promote gender equality in climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience efforts.

Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Brand and Strategic Initiatives, Masdar, said

Masdar’s WiSER initiative supports current and future generations of female leaders and seeks to integrate gender equality into climate change agendas, fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient future for all.

WiSER’s engagement at COP28 supports the Presidency’s commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, by advocating for gender equality as a tool to improve working conditions, advance technology and ultimately, address climate change.

• Global Summit hosted in partnership with COP28 UAE Presidency to convene high-level speakers from public sector, private sector, NGOs, and leading academic institutions.

• WiSER champions women as leaders of sustainability, with a focus on education, engagement, and empowerment, supporting the COP28 Presidency’s commitment to advance Sustainable Development Goals.

• Supports future and current female leaders, WiSER seeks to integrate gender equality into climate change agendas, for a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient future for all.

Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) - Masdar’s global initiative that champions women as leaders of sustainable change - will co-host The Arab Women Leaders’ Summit in the Green Zone at COP28 on December 4.

Held under the theme, “Gender Inclusion and Climate Change: Advancing Equality for a Resilient Future”, the Summit will explore the critical relationship between gender equality and climate action.

Bringing together a diverse program of participants including researchers, activists, policymakers and civil society representatives, the Summit will convene high-level speakers including H.R.H. Princess. Lamia Bint Majed Saud AlSaud, Secretary-General, AlWaleed Philanthropies, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Barbara Rambousek, Director, Gender and Economic Inclusion, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Participants at the half-day event will work together to identify challenges, share best practices, and develop strategies to promote gender equality in climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience efforts.

Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Brand and Strategic Initiatives, Masdar, said:

Masdar’s WiSER initiative supports current and future generations of female leaders and seeks to integrate gender equality into climate change agendas, fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient future for all.

WiSER’s engagement at COP28 supports the Presidency’s commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, by advocating for gender equality as a tool to improve working conditions, advance technology and ultimately, address climate change.

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar is honoring the outstanding achievements and invaluable contributions of remarkable Emirati women who are working to build a sustainable future for all.

A new campaign, launched by Masdar in celebration of Emirati Women’s Day, features prominent Emirati sustainability pioneers who are at the forefront of the UAE’s global sustainability mission, alongside several young Emirati women who are set to be amongst the next generation of sustainability leaders.

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The campaign also spotlights the work of WiSER (Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy), Masdar’s global platform that champions women as leaders of sustainable change. 

Borne from a recognition that more needs to be done to support women in the global mission to tackle climate change, WiSER is dedicated to empowering current and future generations of women sustainability leaders.

The high-profile Emirati sustainability leaders showcased in the campaign are all members of the WiSER Advisory Council.

• Masdar’s Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) Annual Forum at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2023 focused on empowering women to lead climate adaptation
• Forum brought together experts and leaders from business, technology, government, academia, and not-for-profit sectors ahead of COP28 climate conference, which will focus on inclusion and action
• Guests took the #IAmWiSER pledge to champion women as leaders and agents of sustainable change 

Over 120 influential figures came together to explore ways to boost women’s leadership in climate adaptation at an annual forum held by Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER), a global platform run by the UAE’s clean energy powerhouse Masdar. 

As the world strives to adjust to a changing climate, women are increasingly finding themselves at the forefront of climate adaptation efforts. In recognition of this, the flagship WiSER Annual Forum was held on Tuesday 17 January, as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2023, the global platform for accelerating sustainable development that is taking place this week in the UAE capital.

Roundtable topics discussed at the forum included equal access to climate finance, increasing food security and access to agritech, women’s participation and leadership in the clean energy transition, and protecting biodiversity and eco-systems. Findings from the forum will be published in a report on March 8 – International Women’s Day. 

HE Khadeeja Naseem, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology for the Maldives, was one of the participants. “As one of the lowest-lying countries in the world, the Maldives is incredibly vulnerable to climate change,” she said. “We’ve been taking a holistic approach to these challenges, including building the resilience and health of our coral reefs - which are the first line of defense for our shores.  To ensure maximum success for climate adaptation projects, women’s leadership is vital. Women bring unique insights and talents to this collective mission and we must remove all barriers to their participation.”

Guests at the forum also pledged their support for the #IAmWiSER campaign, which champions women as leaders and agents of sustainable change. The global campaign aims to provide a clear call to action for women and those who support them.  To take the pledge visit https://masdar.ae/IAmWiSER/take-the-pledge

Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy, was a keynote speaker at the forum and a high-profile supporter of the #IAmWiSER campaign. “The transition to a cleaner, greener future must be an inclusive one,” she said. “If measures are not adopted to increase women’s participation in emerging green occupations, current gender stereotypes are likely to persist, and women will only have access to a fraction of the jobs created. Ensuring women’s full and unfettered participation is a must.”

In recent months, the human cost of climate change has been in sharp focus with a ‘loss and damage’ deal to provide funding for climate-vulnerable countries being struck at COP27 in Egypt. Globally, women and girls make up 80 percent of those displaced by climate change, according to the UN. The UAE will host the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), in November and December.

Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Brand and Strategic Initiatives at Masdar, said: “Whether it’s improving women farmers’ access to finance or encouraging women in the renewable energy sector, empowering women to lead climate adaptation will benefit all of society. The WiSER Annual Forum provides a space where people from diverse backgrounds can come together and work towards much-needed solutions. This is of upmost importance to the UAE, especially as we look forward to hosting COP28 and putting inclusive action at its heart.”

Since WiSER was launched in 2015 it has convened high-level forums attended by over 2,000 participants to promote sustainability and gender equality. 

• Masdar’s Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) initiative hosts series of COP27 events to amplify voices of women and girls in global climate debate
• UAE’s Sheikha Shamma Al Nahyan joins global industry leaders and policymakers for WiSER Wisdom Series dialogue on intersection of gender and climate 
• Masdar has invested 1 GW of clean energy in Africa, which could power over 845,000 homes

Masdar, one of the world’s fastest-growing clean energy companies, and its global Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) initiative, this week held a series of high-level discussions to raise global awareness and support for women as powerful catalysts of sustainable change on the sidelines of the 2022 United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference (COP27).

With a sharp focus on Africa, WiSER convened regional and global leaders Monday for a panel discussion on key issues at the intersection of gender and climate change, which began with a keynote address by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Executive Director of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA), the Middle East region’s first non-partisan climate action think tank.

Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan said: “It was an honor to collaborate with WiSER this week to amplify the voices of women and girls at COP27. As the UAE looks forward to hosting COP28 next year, I am encouraged by WiSER’s efforts to raise global awareness and support for women and girls at the forefront of the net-zero transition. The UAE and UICCA are committed to continuing this important work with WiSER and our partners in Africa and around the world to help secure an inclusive and sustainable future for all.”

Throughout COP27, WiSER also promoted its global #IAmWiSER campaign to encourage policymakers, industry leaders, and climate stakeholders worldwide to press forward with initiatives to build a more inclusive and sustainable future by pledging their support for women at the forefront of efforts to tackle climate change.  

Global policymakers and industry leaders have taken the #IAmWiSER pledge, including the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Chairman of Masdar, H.E. Dr Sultan Al Jaber; UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, H.E. Mariam Almheiri; Permanent UAE Representative to the UN, H.E. Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh; and Co-Chair of UN-Energy, CEO of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), and Special UN Secretary-General SEforALL Representative, Ms. Damilola Ogunbiyi of Nigeria.

UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special UAE Envoy for Climate Change, and Chairman of Masdar, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, said: “The UAE has long recognized that women represent an equal share of the global population and is committed to ensuring that they have an equal voice in the dialogue on climate action. This is especially important in areas such as Africa and the global south, where women are bearing the brunt of climate change. Through our global clean energy powerhouse Masdar and its WiSER initiative, we are working constantly to empower women to generate more equitable and effective climate solutions, and COP27 has provided the ideal platform to amplify their voices to the world. I look forward to building on this success at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week next year, and to seeing this positive momentum carry through to COP28 in the UAE.”

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) is a global initiative, established by Masdar in 2008, to accelerate sustainable development and advance economic, social, and environmental progress, in line with the UAE’s long-term vision and commitments. Taking place 14–21 January, ADSW 2023 will be next year’s first major sustainability gathering, bridging the gap between COP27 and COP28 by convening global stakeholders to take stock of progress on commitments and continue to engage on bold climate action and practical innovation. 

Elsewhere on the sidelines of COP27 this week, a WiSER Wisdom Series panel, “Gender Challenges to Climate Change,” featured The Gambia’s Honorable Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Fatou Kinteh; Director of Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy at the UN’s Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Mr. Tareq Emtairah; Head of Institutional, Strategic, Private & Gulf Partnerships at Plan International, Mr. Mohamed Kamal; CEO of Siraj Power, a UAE-based provider of solar power solutions across the Middle East and Africa, Mr. Laurent Longuet.

Honorable Minister Fatou Kinteh of The Gambia said: “The WiSER Wisdom Series COP27 panel was an important opportunity to engage in collaborative, frank conversation about challenges to building an equitable, sustainable future in communities across The Gambia, specifically, and Africa more broadly. It is critical that we continue to work together with organizations like WiSER to facilitate a global dialogue that meaningfully considers the unique challenges and opportunities facing women in diverse communities across Africa.”

Another WiSER Wisdom Series panel, “Design and Implementation of Inclusive, Community Energy Systems,” featured young women who shared insights from their experience participating in WiSER’s first field-based course in Rwanda, completed in August as part of the platform’s new WiSER Cares initiative to equip young women in rural off-grid communities with the knowledge and skills to harness the potential of practical clean energy technologies. 

Masdar Executive Director of Brand and Strategic Initiatives, and WiSER Program Director, Dr Lamya Fawwaz, said: “Across the world, women are starting new companies and innovating new technologies that are catalyzing meaningful sustainable change for their families, communities, and countries. At COP27, it was my privilege to shine a spotlight on these women while also working with our partners in Africa to inspire more to join them in advancing positive climate action. From now, through to ADSW, COP28, and beyond, WiSER will continue to sow these seeds of empowerment so more women can unleash their full potential.”

In line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 5 and 7) concerning gender equality and clean energy access, respectively, WiSER also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in September with Plan International Spain (SPNO), an independent development and humanitarian organization working in more than 75 countries, including in Africa, to advance children's rights and equality for girls. In the MoU, WiSER and SPNO agreed to pilot programs worldwide to accelerate sustainable development by empowering women and girls through educational, skills-training, mentorship, and internship opportunities, with a special focus on the global south.

SPNO Chief Executive Officer, Concha Lopez, said: “We urge all states to raise responsible and active citizens through ambitious transformative education that enables children, especially child girls and adolescents, to be prepared, to adapt and to mitigate the impacts of this crisis, as well as to participate in climate action and in the green economy. We share this vision with WiSER, an internationally reputed platform which also works towards a world wherein all girls are empowered to maximize their potential as innovators and leaders of sustainable change.”

Across Africa, Masdar and its partners are also helping to accelerate sustainable socioeconomic development with over 1 gigawatt (GW) of clean energy projects capable of delivering electricity to over 845,000 homes in Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, and the Seychelles. Globally, Masdar’s clean energy projects displace close to 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

Masdar’s Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) platform today launched a global campaign, I Am WiSER, to raise support for women at the forefront of efforts to tackle climate change and encourage world leaders to press forward with initiatives to build a more inclusive and sustainable future.

The campaign urges policymakers, heads of industry, and individuals to take the #IAmWiSER pledge to champion women as agents of sustainable change, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) 5 and 7, which aim to “achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls,” and “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all,” respectively.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies, said, “Masdar has long recognized the pivotal role women must play in building a sustainable future. Through #IAmWiSER, we are proud to invite our partners around the world to join us in ensuring women have an equal voice in our collective clean energy transition.”

Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Masdar Executive Director of Brand and Strategic Initiatives, and WiSER Program Director, said: “WiSER recognizes, inspires and empowers women to become leaders and change agents in driving sustainable development for all. The “#IAmWiSER campaign will enable us to reach a broader audience and provide a clear call for action for women and those who support them around the world. We look forward to translating these pledges from policymakers, thought leaders, business experts and engaged individuals around the world into concrete progress.”

The #IAmWiSER campaign has been endorsed by five notable women who are today advancing the sustainability agenda on the global stage, including H.E. Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment; H.E. Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent UAE Representative to the UN; Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for SEforALL, and Co-Chair of UN-Energy; Peggy Choi, Founder and CEO of global knowledge-sharing platform, Lynk; and Alexandra Palt, Executive Vice-President Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer of L’Oréal and Executive Vice-President of the Fondation L’Oréal.

Commenting on the campaign, Palt said: “#IAmWiSER is about celebrating the achievements of women who have worked tirelessly to build a more sustainable future for their communities and our planet. It is also, just as importantly, about inspiring and empowering future generations to follow in their footsteps. Because women are an extremely powerful engine of change and key to social and ecological progress.”

Interested participants are invited to visit Masdar’s website to take the #IAmWiser pledge: “I am committed to championing women as agents of sustainable change.” Signatories will then be prompted to publicize their commitment and encourage others to take the pledge via an auto-generated link for sharing on social media.

At the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC COP 27) in Egypt this November, WiSER will host delegates at its booth in the UAE Pavilion and invite them to take the #IAmWiser pledge.

As host of COP 28 next year, the UAE has set ambitious targets to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, making it the first Middle Eastern country to do so.

• Inaugural offering of WiSER Cares, a new initiative launched by Masdar’s Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) platform to advance practical sustainability solutions that enhance community well-being
• Course promotes gender equality and universal access to reliable clean energy, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals 
• Launched in partnership with Energy Action Partners, ARC Power, and POWERHer
• Provided immersive field-based training to 14 young women from WiSER and local community 

Masdar’s Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) platform today completed its first field-based course in Rwanda to teach young women in rural off-grid communities to harness the potential of clean energy solutions, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) 7 to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Launched in the Gatsibo district of Rwanda, the course, titled “Rural Energy Access: Designing and implementing inclusive community energy systems,” is the inaugural offering of WiSER Cares, a multidisciplinary initiative launched this year to engage WiSER Pioneers in on-the-ground learning experiences that promote sustainable community development. WiSER Pioneers is a year-long program, hosted annually since 2018, that offers women aged 25 to 35 access to bespoke educational workshops and global networking opportunities to inspire sustainability leadership.

Fourteen young women, including nine WiSER Pioneers and five Rwandan professionals, completed the six-day WiSER Cares course, comprised of a series of lectures and hands-on projects led by global experts in renewable energy and sustainable development, with a focus on four core disciplines: 1) energy systems technology and service models; 2) energy access business models and financing; 3) community inclusion, social change and human development; and 4) climate adaptation. 

“We are proud to offer the WiSER Cares Rural Energy Access course as part of Masdar’s long-running effort to equip young women with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead their communities and the world in building a more sustainable future,” said Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Masdar’s Executive Director of Brand & Strategic Initiatives, and WiSER Program Director. 

“Through a multidisciplinary approach that emphasizes development of practical skills, strong technical fundamentals and realistic business models, WiSER Cares aims to facilitate productive cultural exchange and inspire participants to work together to achieve SDG 7 by accelerating the clean energy transition in rural off-grid communities,” added Dr. Fawwaz. 

Experts leading the course included Co-Executive Director of Energy Action Partners in Malaysia, Ayu Abdullah; Off-Grid Technical Advisor, Energy Action Partners in Rwanda, Ivan Asiimwe; Co-Founder and Team Leader of Love at Hands in Rwanda, Erica Matasi Gateka; and Co-Director of Energy Action Partners and CEO of ClearSky Power, Boston, Dr. Scott Kennedy. 

The WiSER platform was officially launched by Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize on the sidelines of the 70th United Nations General Assembly in September 2015 with the goal of inspiring women to play an active role in addressing global sustainability challenges.