Page 13 - ALEF EDUCATION PR REPORT NOVEMBER 2024

Press Release

Alef Education Engages in Critical Dialogue on Empowering Girls Through

Climate Action at COP29

Abu Dhabi, 28 November, 2024: Alef Education, a UAE-based global leader in education
technology, participated in a high-level panel discussion titled “Empowering Girls for Climate
Action” alongside ministers and key decision-makers at the 29 Conference of the Parties
th
(COP29) at the ICESCO Pavilion, Blue Zone, held in Baku, Azerbaijan recently. This year’s
conference, themed “In Solidarity for a Green World”, underscores the importance of
fostering a shared vision and strengthening collaboration among ICESCO member states to
advance greening girls' education by 2030, focusing on enhancing support for carbon literacy
programs.

Among the panellists with whom Alef Education shared the stage were several esteemed
dignitaries, including Mr Daouda Ndiaye, Lead Climate Change Specialist at Islamic
Development Bank; Christine Ozden, Global Director of Climate Education at Cambridge
University Press & Assessment; Leyla Khalilova Rzazada, Head of Strategic Planning and
Performance Management at the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the
UNESCO Greening Education Partnership (GEP). The conference served as a central forum for
Alef Education to highlight its commitment to empowering girls through Education for
Sustainable Development (ESD), equipping them with the skills needed to tackle the
challenges of climate change.

Dr Aishah Al Yammahi, Strategic Advisor at Alef Education, said, “I was delighted to be part
of the panel discussion at COP29, which aligns with our ongoing efforts of empowering
women and girls through sustainable climate action. Our research-driven educational model
has shown that female students in the UAE outperform the OECD average in key global
competencies related to climate change, including awareness and self-efficacy. This
achievement highlights the strength of UAE educational programs, particularly in fostering
global awareness and confidence among young girls. By equipping them with these vital skills,
we are not just providing an education—we are shaping the next generation of leaders in
climate resilience and sustainable action.”

During the discussion, Dr Aishah Al Yammahi highlighted a vital issue impacting the future of
our planet: empowering girls to be part of climate solutions. She also emphasised how this is
crucial for building a sustainable and resilient world. Equipping girls with requisite skills in
climate science and sustainable technologies, encouraging them to take on climate leadership
roles, incorporating local and real-world climate scenarios into K-12 education, supporting
policies for enhancing girls’ participation in climate action, and ensuring equitable access to
climate project resources for girls are key pillars to overcome challenges.

Alef Education showcased two pivotal climate action programmes to demonstrate its
commitment: the Alef Metaverse—an immersive tool that educates students on climate
change and sustainability, and the Alef EcoChamps program—a self-paced environmental
literacy course for UAE students aged 10-14, in which 50% of the participants are girls.