Dr Nandini Azad at COP 28
COP 28: Dr. Nandini Azad Meets the UNFCC Executive Secretary and Advocates the Role of Smallholder Family Farmer Women

India, December 2023: – The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) witnessed a pivotal moment as Dr. Nandini Azad, a cooperative leader, President of the world’s acclaimed mass women’s cooperative the Indian Cooperative Network for Women (ICNW) and the Working Women’s Forum (WWF) actively participated in discussions to address the pressing challenges of our planet’s climate crisis.
The deliberations at COP 28 Dubai brought together world leaders, experts, and activists with the shared goal of accelerating global efforts to combat climate change. Dr. Azad’s presence added a significant voice to the discourse, emphasizing the need for urgent and collaborative action to mitigate the far-reaching consequences of climate change.
The UNFCCC has long been a crucial platform for fostering international cooperation to tackle the complex issues surrounding climate change. COP 28 marked a critical juncture, with nations uniting to forge actionable plans in line with the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.
As the world faces unprecedented challenges, the outcomes of COP 28 Dubai stand as a beacon of hope, reflecting a collective determination to safeguard the planet for future generations. Dr. Nandini Azad’s passionate advocacy adds a powerful voice to the global call for immediate and bold climate action. She had the honour, the Honor of being the only one-on-one to meet UNFCCC Executive Secretary Mr. Simon Stiell. Known for his immense contribution, Stiell was the Minister of Environment from Grenada. Dr. Nandini Azad while congratulating him personally also lamented the Chennai cyclone deluge was a test case. She thanked him and requested that the smallholder agriculturists especially family farmer women should be a focus of the fund being created by the UNFCC. She was the only mass cooperative leader who met Mr. Stiell and said that ICNW and WWF can compete with corporates and large landholders. Dr. Azad convinced Mr. Steill that the ICNW is the only network that could take up the cause of smallholder women family farmers.

Dr. Nandini Azad, known for her extensive contributions to addressing the issue of climate change in the Agriculture Sector through Cooperative Movement Science, emphasized with a sense of urgency, stressing the need for innovative solutions and a paradigm shift in global practices. Her insights into the interconnectedness of climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development resonated with delegates, sparking meaningful conversations about the inter sectionality of environmental issues.

During the discussion, Dr. Azad highlighted the imperative to prioritize environmental sustainability in policymaking, corporate strategies, and individual lifestyles. She underscored the role of technology, innovation, and equitable global partnerships as crucial elements in the fight against climate change.
With a membership exceeding 600,000 women across 14 locations in South India, ICNW stands as a beacon of progress and empowerment, playing a pivotal role in providing over one million loans and fostering economic independence. Dr. Nandini Azad, a trailblazing co-operator, made history as the first Indian woman and Chennai resident to be re-elected on the board of the International Raiffeisen Union (IRU), the world’s oldest cooperative union based in Germany with 53 members spanning 33 countries.
COP 28 Dubai concluded with a renewed commitment from participating nations to enhance their nationally determined contributions and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, resilient future. Dr. Nandini Azad’s dynamic participation has invigorated the global dialogue, emphasizing that climate action is a shared responsibility that transcends borders and ideologies.

She highlighted ICNW’s significant impact, propelling it to join the 5 trillion economies, and emphasizing that her triumph was a collective victory for women in cooperatives worldwide. Dr. Azad also shared ICNW’s pandemic response, demonstrating commitment by supporting nearly 120,000 women members during lockdowns. The organization’s resilience earned them the “Corona Micro-Entrepreneur Warrior’s Award.”

ICNW’s success in addressing intersecting barriers of caste, class, and gender was acknowledged, along with its innovative approach to establishing local supply chains, climate change initiatives, and digital literacy programs. Dr. Azad noted the transformative journey of ICNW members, starting with modest loans and now receiving substantial financial support. These women have achieved remarkable milestones, educating their children and inspiring others to transition to the pre-formal sector.

At COP 28, Dr Nandini Azad emphasized ICNW’s collective success in mitigating the challenges of climate change in the agriculture sector. She ensured the gathering that a large women’s cooperative movement like ICNW can compete with moneyed corporate cooperatives due to its sheer mass character of women workers and their force in a democracy with a focus on addressing the issues of climate change.

Dr. Nandini Azad’s historic re-election and ICNW’s global success underscore the transformative impact of women’s cooperatives in not only empowering marginalized communities and challenging societal norms but also the world’s biggest challenge of climate change. Dr. Azad’s leadership highlights ICNW’s collective strength and resilience in fostering a global symbol of hope and empowerment.