Inspiring Speech by Minister Fatma Thabet Chiboub at ELLEvate Summit
During the ELLEvate summit, dedicated to women entrepreneurs, Tunisia's Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy, Fatma Thabet Chiboub, delivered an inspiring speech focused on energy reforms and gender equality in Tunisia.
Building a Prosperous Future Together
Chiboub began her speech by emphasizing the importance of gathering diverse powers to build a prosperous common future. She affirmed that gender equality is the foundation of a just, inclusive, and sustainable society. Tunisia, she recalled, has always been visionary in the region, committing to eliminate all legal, social, and economic barriers that limit equal access to fundamental rights, citizen participation, education, health, entrepreneurship, and associative work.
Energy as a Lever for Emancipation
Chiboub highlighted the crucial role of energy as a vector of development and emancipation. She insisted on the need for inclusive management of energy activities, involving women and young people, to ensure a successful energy transition. According to her, reforming the energy sector in Tunisia is essential to achieving energy transition goals in the near future.
Investing in Renewable Energies
To achieve a sustainable energy transition, Chiboub stressed the importance of massively investing in renewable and alternative energies, such as solar, wind, and green hydrogen. She noted that Tunisia is actively working to exploit its solar potential and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, ensuring long-term energy security.
Transparency and Sustainable Management
"The Tunisian energy reform is based on two fundamental principles: transparency and sustainable management." Chiboub emphasized the need to combat waste and open the energy sector to private investments, while ensuring equal access to energy for all Tunisians. She also mentioned the alignment of environmental objectives with economic and social needs through an integrated energy policy.
Participation of All Stakeholders
Chiboub insisted on the need for active participation from all concerned actors – public sector, private sector, civil society, and citizens – to design and implement effective energy policies. This collaborative approach is crucial for transforming the energy system and ensuring a sustainable future for Tunisia.
Economic Opportunities for Women and Youth
Chiboub highlighted the economic opportunities that the energy transition offers to women and young people, affirming that their participation is essential for the success of reforms. She expressed her pride in being a Tunisian woman with a significant ministerial portfolio, recalling her unique experience as the only woman on a panel in Saudi Arabia.
Minister's Declaration
On the sidelines of the ELLEvate summit, Fatma Thabet Chiboub addressed a inspiring message to women entrepreneurs in the renewable energy sector. She emphasized the importance of self-consumption energy projects, where each woman, whether in industry, tourism, or another sector, can actively contribute to energy efficiency. The minister stressed the crucial role of women, not only as entrepreneurs but also as citizens, in adopting responsible energy behaviors and positively influencing their surroundings. She encouraged women to invest in this promising sector, assuring that all necessary facilities are in place to support their initiatives and help them achieve their ambitious projects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Fatma Thabet Chiboub reiterated Tunisia's commitment to integrating gender equality and leadership principles into all national initiatives and international partnerships. She expressed her hope for Tunisian reforms and called for continued engagement to build a prosperous and inclusive nation for future generations. She also thanked the organizers of the summit and the Tunisian ambassador to Washington for their invitation, wishing success to the 2024 edition of the ELLEvate summit.