New Delhi, December 16, 2024: The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) hosted the highly anticipated South Asia Women in Energy (SAWIE) Summit 2024 in New Delhi, bringing together prominent leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to champion women’s leadership and inclusion in the energy sector.
The SAWIE Summit 2024 explored strategies to empower women leaders, drive innovation in renewable energy, and enhance international cooperation for sustainable development. The day-long summit featured engaging discussions, fireside chats, and thought-provoking panels focused on building an inclusive workforce, mentoring women leaders, and financing women-led energy ventures. With participants from leading global organizations and governments, the summit provided a platform for collaboration to address critical challenges and opportunities for women in renewable energy and beyond.
The summit opened with welcome and inaugural addresses delivered by Ambassador Eric Garcetti, United States Ambassador to the Republic of India; Ms. Nivedita Mehra, Managing Director – India, USISPF; Dr. Steven Olive, Mission Director, USAID/India; and Ms. Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Co-Founder and Chairperson Sustainability, ReNew; Chairperson, South Asia Women in Energy (SAWIE) which set the tone for the event.
Ambassador Eric Garcetti, United States Ambassador to the Republic of India, remarked on the enduring U.S.-India collaboration in energy and sustainability, focussing on the planet, as it is the cradle of our health and environment. He reaffirmed that the summit highlighted a central truth that preserving our planet requires us to face challenges that really know no boundaries; climate change, public health threats, and the demand for sustainable energy are the biggest threats that we’ve lived through in recent history. He also emphasized that it doesn’t matter if we live in Los Angeles or Lucknow, in Boston or Bengaluru, the health of our families, the stability of our communities, the sustainability of our planet depend on the work that we are doing, how we share our best practices and expertise, and invest in our collective resilience.
Ms. Nivedita Mehra, Managing Director – India, USISPF, emphasized the importance of fostering diverse leadership in her opening remarks where she mentioned women make up nearly 40% of the global workforce, of which they hold just 16% in the energy sector. In South Asia, female participation in the critical sectors ranges from a mere 3% to 15%. These figures not only highlight the glaring gap but also underscore the urgency for collective action. She also added that diversity in leadership is not just a moral imperative- it’s a proven driver of innovation and effectiveness. As we steer the global energy transitions towards sustainability, diverse perspectives, particularly those of women, are essential in crafting inclusive policies and strategies. Women’s involvement at all levels of decision making will be pivotal in achieving our shared sustainability goals.
Ms. Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Co-Founder and Chairperson Sustainability, ReNew; Chairperson, South Asia Women in Energy (SAWIE), highlighted the transformative potential of women leaders in energy transitions. While SAWIE is driving individual transformation, it is also advancing systematic change. By focusing on gender balance in energy policies, utility transformation, and energy transformation, it ensures that the sector becomes more representative and effective.
Dr. Steven Olive, Mission Director, USAID/India, shared USAID’s commitment to empowering women leaders in the energy sector and fostering a more inclusive and equitable society while women continue to fight for equal rights and opportunities in their homes, communities and workplaces. And this 3rd edition of #SAWIESummit2024 reminds us of the progress we’ve made and the path that we still need to walk together. As we reflect on the pivotal role that women must play in addressing the climate crisis and advancing sustainable energy solutions, he underscored the transformative power of investing in women, not as beneficiaries but as architects of the future we seek to build.
Ms. Tahesha L Way, Lt. Governor of the State of New Jersey, United States of America “I see women positioning themselves everywhere, and I think that it’s the beauty of our delegation. In fact, at the Indian Commission, when I saw some successful, powerful women, I was just so moved. It truly feels good that women are an important part of our economic and cultural delegations, voicing their interests and strategies in meetings.”
About SAWIE: South Asia Women in Energy (SAWIE), an initiative of USISPF and USAID, is dedicated to enhancing gender equality and leadership opportunities in the energy sector across South Asia. Through mentorship programs, capacity-building initiatives, and strategic partnerships, SAWIE strives to empower women to lead the clean energy transition.
About USISPF: The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is a non-profit organization committed to strengthening the dynamic partnership between the United States and India. USISPF serves as a platform for collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society to foster economic growth and innovation.
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