By Yunus Center at AIT
5 February 2026 — The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) marked a significant milestone in advancing gender-inclusive energy transition work in the Asia Pacific region with the soft launch of the WePOWER Regional Secretariat (WRS), now hosted at the Yunus Center at AIT (YCA).
Senior leadership from AIT and The World Bank at the Soft Launch of the WePOWER Regional Secretariat (WRS), hosted at the Yunus Center at AIT on 5 February 2026
The launch marks the WePOWER Interim Secretariat’s transition from Washington, D.C., to Bangkok, establishing a permanent regional base at AIT. This move places the Secretariat at the centre of a growing movement to increase women’s participation in STEM-related professions and support their advancement into leadership positions, particularly in the energy sector.
The event brought together senior leadership from AIT and The World Bank and 89 delegates representing WePOWER partners, national chapter members, and diplomatic missions.
Opening the program, Prof. Pai-Chi Li, AIT President, and Ms. Mandakini Kaul, South Asia Regional Coordinator at The World Bank, highlighted the importance of institutional anchoring for long-term impact.
“Moving forward, we will strengthen regional cooperation through deeper partnerships between academia and industry to create meaningful career pathways for women in the energy sector,” said Professor Li. “This Secretariat builds on AIT’s strong foundation, particularly the work of the Yunus Center in advancing inclusive leadership and applied regional impact.”
Ms. Mandakini Kaul expressed The World Bank’s satisfaction with the steady growth of the WePOWER network, noting, “This launch represents an important step as WePOWER takes its next leap forward as a growing regional network. The gender gap in South Asia’s energy sector remains significant, with women underrepresented in technical and leadership roles. The World Bank remains committed to addressing this gap through sustained collaboration and partnerships.”
High-Level Diplomatic and Regional Participation
The soft launch was attended by representatives from the Embassies of Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. H.E. Mr. Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand and member of the AIT Board of Trustees, appreciated the positive influence of initiatives such as WePOWER in strengthening community resilience by building STEM competencies among women.
H.E. Mr. Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand and Ms. Kajal Gupta, (Attaché SEC from Indian Embassy Bangkok) joining the soft launch alongside regional stakeholders and partners.
Anchoring WePOWER as a Permanent Regional Hub
The establishment of the WePOWER Regional Secretariat comes at a pivotal moment for South Asias energy transition. Women’s participation in the sector remains low, ranging from 3% to 15% overall, and dropping below 1% in technical roles in some contexts.
WePOWER has emerged as a key collaborative platform addressing this gap by bringing together utilities, governments, academic institutions, and development partners around shared commitments to gender-inclusive energy institutions.
During the launch, the World Bank team presented key findings from the 2024–2025 WePOWER Gender Assessment, based on fieldwork across more than 15 organizations and nearly 2,000 survey responses.
As the operational engine of the WePOWER network, the Regional Secretariat will support partners and National Chapters through core functions including:
- Network coordination and membership expansion
- Donor engagement and resource mobilization
- Knowledge management and regional learning
- Advocacy and institutional reform for gender-inclusive energy transitions
The Secretariat will work closely with National Chapters across South Asia, including Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to strengthen country-led engagement and accelerate impact.
Mr. Gunjan Gautam, Senior Energy Specialist at The World Bank, noted, “Anchoring the Secretariat at AIT signifies a new chapter for WePOWER’s sustainability and regional ownership. Housing the Secretariat within a leading academic institution enhances our collective capacity to support utilities and partners in creating workplaces where women can thrive and lead.”
A dedicated session outlined immediate transition priorities, planned support for National Chapters, and opportunities for collaboration and co-creation across the region. In his closing remarks, Dr. Faiz Shah, Executive Director, Yunus Centre at AIT reaffirmed AIT’s commitment to ensuring that the energy transition is not only technologically resilient, but also socially inclusive and equitable.
As WePOWER enters this new phase, the establishment of its permanent Regional Secretariat at AIT represents more than an institutional transition signaling a shared regional commitment to building energy systems that fully harness the talent and leadership of women.
Edited by: Office of Communications and Public Affairs
Diplomatic representatives, WePOWER partners, National Chapters, and SAR100 alumni participating in person and online, reflecting broad regional support for inclusive energy transitions.
