Tara Uzra Dawood, President of the Dawood Global Foundation and Founder of LADIESFUND Energy Ltd., has been honoured with the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) CAREC Gender and Green Innovation Award 2025 at a ceremony in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.

Key partners for the CAREC Awards include the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the OSCE Academy, and Unison Group, says a statement.

This distinguished international recognition for Pakistan — and for Pakistani women — follows Ms Dawood’s earlier national honour in March 2025, when she was recognised by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, for leading one of the top private companies for women in Pakistan, as assessed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), UNFPA, the Pakistan Business Council, and the Federal Ministry for Human Rights.

“Congratulations to Ms Dawood for her well-deserved award in recognition of her visionary leadership of LADIESFUND Energy, combining gender equality goals with green innovation for transformative solar solutions,” said Samantha Hung, Director of ADB’s Gender Equality Division and jury member.

This award recognises Ms Dawood’s exceptional contributions to advancing gender equality through green innovation and technology, exemplifying how sustainable solutions can address climate challenges while fostering inclusive economic growth.

Through her leadership at the Dawood Global Foundation and LADIESFUND®, Ms Dawood has spearheaded initiatives that empower women, promote environmental sustainability, and drive entrepreneurship aligned with global green growth goals.

Her work continues to bridge innovation and inclusion, positioning Pakistan as a regional leader in the transition toward a more sustainable and equitable future.

“This honour reaffirms our belief that women’s empowerment and sustainable development are two sides of the same coin,” said Tara Uzra Dawood.

“Together, we can drive meaningful change that uplifts communities while protecting our planet. When we first launched our initiative to engage Pakistani female engineers in rooftop solarisation, it was met with scepticism — even laughter. Many said it couldn’t be done. Today, that very idea has evolved into a sustainable, profitable, and inspiring enterprise.”

The CAREC Women’s Business Forum: Together for Green Innovation and Gender Equality preceded the awards gala.

Ms Dawood was invited to speak on Panel 1: From Evidence to Action – Advancing Gender and Green Innovation in CAREC Climate Pathways, co-hosted with the OSCE Academy.

“I was impressed by Tara Uzra’s presentation skills and content of her speech!” said Dr Roman Mogilevskii, Head of the Climate and Energy Group at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), Kazakhstan (EN&RUS), and Associate Director and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Public Policy & Administration (IPPA), University of Central Asia, who moderated the panel. IPPA is one of the partners for the awards.

The CAREC Climate Pathways initiative celebrates visionaries who integrate gender-responsive approaches into climate action, innovation, and sustainable development.

Tara Uzra Dawood’s recognition among the CAREC Gender and Green Innovation Awardees 2025 underscores her enduring commitment to building a future where both women and the environment thrive.

About LADIESFUND®

LADIESFUND®, established under the Dawood Global Foundation (DGF), is Pakistan’s leading platform for women’s economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion.

Founded by Tara Uzra Dawood, LADIESFUND® has trained, mentored, and supported tens of thousands of women nationwide, fostering leadership, innovation, and sustainable enterprise.

The organisation’s initiatives span education, energy, and investment sectors, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to create systemic change through women-led impact. LADIESFUND® continues to champion women as catalysts for inclusive growth and green transformation in Pakistan and beyond.

About LADIESFUND Energy Pvt. Ltd.

LADIESFUND Energy Pvt. Ltd. is Pakistan’s pioneering women-led renewable energy company. Founded and led by Tara Uzra Dawood, the company focuses on empowering female engineers and entrepreneurs in the solar and green energy sectors.

Its flagship initiative, which trains and employs Pakistani women to solarise rooftops, exemplifies innovation, sustainability, and gender inclusion in action.

LADIESFUND Energy Pvt. Ltd. is at the forefront of driving Pakistan’s transition to clean energy while ensuring women’s active participation in the nation’s green economy.