NEW YORK, March 16, 2025 （WSH) – As the world commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) is being held at the UN Headquarters from March 10 to 21. During this session, the High-Level Meeting on “Empowering Women Globally as Leaders in the Struggle for Climate Change, with Special Reference to Women of Africa and the Diaspora,” co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of Senegal to the UN, the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network (ARDN), and the World Madam Foundation, successfully took place in New York on March 13.
The conference focused on the critical role of women in global climate action, the challenges they face, and called for stronger gender-equality policies to drive transformative changes in global climate governance.
The event addressed key challenges affecting women in climate action, including gender-based violence (GBV), food and water shortages, displacement, and economic inequality. It advocated for more female leaders to spearhead transformative solutions toward a more sustainable and equitable future.
This high-level meeting attracted representatives from governments, academia, businesses, and civil society worldwide, aiming to enhance women’s leadership in sustainable development and promote synergies between gender equality and environmental justice.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, in her keynote speech via video, highlighted the critical role of women in climate action and the urgent need for gender-responsive policies. While marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, and a decade of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), she acknowledged both progress and ongoing challenges. Women and girls, especially in marginalized communities, face disproportionate risks from climate change, including food insecurity, water scarcity, and gender-based violence. She emphasized that women’s knowledge in agriculture and resource management is essential for shaping sustainable climate solutions.
Mohammed called for greater female representation in decision-making and stronger protections for environmental activists, particularly from African and indigenous communities. She stressed that “gender parity and equal influence in decision-making remain distant goals, and there is an urgent need for that change.” Reaffirming the UN’s commitment to women’s rights, she urged bold and decisive actions through the Gender Equality Acceleration Plan. She concluded with a call to action, urging global efforts to empower women and accelerate progress toward a just and sustainable future.
The event was attended by Nassénéba Touré, Minister for the Promotion of Women, Family, and Child Protection of Côte d’Ivoire; Inès Nefer Ingani, Minister for the Promotion of Women, Development Integration, and Informal Economy of the Republic of Congo; Anielle Francisco Silva, Minister for Racial Equality of Brazil; and Liza Gashi, Deputy Foreign Minister of Kosovo. These officials and experts called for more inclusive and equitable policies to enhance women’s influence in climate governance.
Key topics discussed included women’s leadership in climate action, transnational cooperation and social responsibility, corporate gender-responsive climate policies, and the elimination of violence and discrimination against women. Youth and women representatives participated in panel discussions on these topics. The conference was jointly supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), and the Human Rights Institute at Southwest University of Political Science and Law (SWUPL).
During an interview, Anni Huang, Founder of the World Madam Foundation, stated: “Empowering women in climate governance is not an option—it is a necessity. This conference will serve as a catalyst for global action, bringing together stakeholders to amplify women’s leadership in sustainable development.”
Dr. Djibril Diallo, President of ARDN, added: “Women are not just victims of climate change—they are the visionaries, the changemakers, and the architects of a sustainable future. This event is a rallying call to recognize and empower women globally , especially from Africa and the Diaspora, as the driving force behind climate resilience and global progress.”
At the event, the organizers honored key figures for their outstanding contributions to women’s rights and global transformation: Shavon Arline Bradley and Lois Keith were recognized for their efforts in advancing women’s rights and social justice.
Five additional individuals were awarded for their impact in various fields: Women’s Education Contribution Award – Li Yan, World TCM Anti-Cancer Contribution Award – TakChio Cheong, World Arts and Culture Achievement Award – Fang Fei and the first blind climber to reach Mount Everest from Asia Zhang Hong, Women’s Philanthropic Excellence Award– Wang Haixiang.
Anni Huang and Dr. Djibril Diallo also jointly advocated for an end to all forms of violence against women and launched the “Red Card Campaign” to expand its global reach. At the same time, the African Philanthropy Initiative was officially inaugurated, with the goal of empowering women and strengthening their leadership in global sustainable development.
Huang and Diallo reaffirmed their commitment to advancing women’s leadership in global climate governance, ensuring that gender equality remains at the core of climate action efforts.
