Ambassador and head of delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Michael Miller on Thursday said that ‘Shoktikonna’ is part and parcel of their work in Bangladesh - to support women’s empowerment, maximise growth potential, involve young people in decision-shaping and promote a green transition.
He said, ‘The EU stands shoulder to shoulder with Bangladesh at this important moment of transition, providing EUR 3.7 billion for energy and climate.’
Michael Miller came up with the remarks while speaking at the Green Skills Summit 2025, organised as a part of Shoktikonna Leadership Cohort, said a press release.
The Green Skills Summit brought together over 200 participants from across Bangladesh’s sustainable energy sectors to celebrate and accelerate women’s leadership in the country’s green transition.
Shoktikonna Leadership Cohort, a platform developed to empower young women aspiring to build careers in Bangladesh’s sustainable energy sector, organised the event, where 20 companies participated.
The companies pledged to create more than 40 traineeships for women and engaging directly with Shoktikonna graduates through mentorship, career dialogues, and recruitment sessions.
Now in its third cohort, Shoktikonna Leadership Cohort has covered more than 100 young women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), many of whom are now working in renewable energy, clean technology, and environmental management roles, said the press release.
The third cohort is supported by the European Union in Bangladesh, German development cooperation, and The World Bank, and implemented by GIZ Bangladesh and Devtale Partners.
The event began with welcome notes from Stoyanka Stich, coordinator of the Energy Cluster at GIZ Bangladesh, followed by a video message from Marjeta Jager, deputy director-general for Directorate-General for International Partnerships of European Commission.
The Inaugural Plenary brought together speakers including Michael Miller, ambassador and head of Delegation, Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, Ulrich Kleppmann, head of German Development Cooperation, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dhaka and Zohra Khatoon, joint secretary of Power Division.
Together, they reaffirmed the shared commitment to advancing gender equality as a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s sustainable energy transformation.
Speakers also underscored that women’s participation is essential for innovation, resilience, and community representation in the green economy.
