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No. CCXXVIII; November 16, 2021
THIS ISSUE’S HIGHLIGHTS


 

OVER 500 DELEGATES ATTEND 2021 GLOBAL SUMMIT OF WOMEN IN LISBON   

Coming together with exceptional energy and passion after a prolonged absence to reboot women’s economic progress post-pandemic, over 500 women executives, entrepreneurs and government leaders from 45 countries  took part in the 2021 Global Summit of Women hosted by Portugal  from October 28-30. Focusing on the theme of “Women: Transforming Economies” in its 31st year, the Summit saluted and discussed the myriad efforts led by women to survive and revive the post-COVID economy. Despite limiting participation by half for health and safety reasons, the Summit’s electric and dynamic atmosphere for which it’s known, prevailed.


“Given the effects of the pandemic on women as workers, as business owners, and as care-givers, it was more imperative than ever for us to gather together to share solutions and to inspire others to help women in this re-set economy,” says Summit President Irene Natividad.  “There was a sense of urgency at this Summit and I know that the delegates went back to their countries, companies and communities with the tools and energy to lift up other women as they advance themselves.”


WHO ATTENDED?  

Delegates from Spain, Kazakhstan, and France pictured above at the 2021 Global Summit of Women

Countries with Largest Delegations: Of the 45 countries participating in the Summit, Spain had the largest delegation with 78 attendees, followed by Kazakhstan with 74, and France with 55.  Other countries with significant representation at the Summit included Vietnam, the United States, Mexico, Congo, Germany, Russia, the 2019 Summit Host Switzerland, and the Host Country of the 2022 Summit Thailand.

Corporate Delegations: Companies who gathered some of their executive women from locations around the world at the Summit included IBM, McDonalds, ABB, Hitachi, Hitachi Energy, Daimler/Mercedes Benz, MetLife and Parexel.

(from left) Delegates from IBM, ABB, and Hitachi at the 2021 Global Summit of Women

Government Leaders: President of Kosovo H.E. Vjosa Osmani and Vice President of Vietnam H.E. Vu Thi Anh Xuan addressed Summit delegates at the Opening Ceremony on October 28.  In addition, 30 government ministers and senior officials participated in the Summit and its Ministerial Roundtable, including Minister of State from the UAE Dr. Maitha Al-Shamsi, Croatia’s Secretary of State for Foreign and European Affairs Andreja Metelko-ZgombicIreland’s Minister for Inclusion and Disabilities Anne Rabbitte; Latvia’s Minister for the Interior Marija Golubeva, and Serbia’s Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Affairs Darija Kisic Tepavcevic, who attended with Assistant Ministers Jasmina Pekmezovic and Sandra Grucijic, among others. 

President of Kosovo H.E. Vjosa Osmani, Vice President of Vietnam H.E. Vo Thi Anh Xuan, women government ministers at Roundtable


THAI PRINCESS, PORTUGUESE SCIENTIST, VIETNAM RECEIVE SUMMIT AWARDS 

As in prior Summits, awards recognizing leadership at the individual and country levels were presented at the Global Women’s Leadership Awards Gala Dinner on October 29th.

Global Women’s Leadership AwardThailand’s Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn received the Global Women’s Leadership Award for her life-long public service to improve the lives of women and girls in her country and beyond. To see video clip showcasing her work, click here.

Portugal’s Leadership Award: Engineer, scientist, and pioneering innovator Dr. Elvira Fortunato received Portugal Women’s Leadership Award for her world-renowned scientific research as well as support for gender equality in academia.  For a video on Dr. Fortunato’s achievements, click here.

Country Leadership Award: Summit President Natividad presented Vietnam with the Country Leadership Award to salute its 20-year leadership and commitment to advancing its women entrepreneurs globally through the Summit. To see a video overview of Vietnam’s participation at past Summits led by 5 women Vice Presidents, click here


SUMMIT SUPPORTS NOMINATION OF MURIEL PENICAUD TO LEAD ILO

In Lisbon, President Natividad announced the Global Summit of Women’s endorsement of France’s Ambassador to the OECD and former Minister of Labor Muriel Penicaud’s  candidacy to be the next Director-General of the UN’s International Labor Organization at the Summit’s Ministerial Roundtable. If elected, she would be the first woman ever to lead the ILO in its 102-year history. Given her successful tenure as Labor Minister who led the change in labor laws with a gender lens in France, her lengthy experience in the international business arena as well as her prior corporate executive experience, Ambassador Penicaud brings the right mix of public/private sector leadership at the global level that will be needed to reverse the decline in women’s labor force participation as a result of the pandemic.  To see a video of President Natividad’s endorsement of Ambassador Penicaud, click the image below


CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE AGENDA

From a key Plenary Session on Women Transforming the Green Economy to a breakout session on Creating Growth and a Carbon-Free Future to a Call-to-Action on climate change in the Closing Ceremony, the 2021 Summit emphasized the role that women business leaders can play in addressing the impact of climate change.  With its focus on solutions, the Summit presented private sector initiatives led by women to inform and to engage participants in some practical ways to reduce the decline in the world’s natural resources, while creating jobs and developing new products.  In the Closing Ceremony, President of the European Investment Bank Dr. Werner Hoyer reaffirmed the urgency to tackle the climate crisis and emphasized the role of women in creating a better future.


THAILAND TO HOST 2022 SUMMIT

 Bangkok, Thailand will be the host of the 2022 Global Summit of Women from June 23-25, 2022.  A delegation from Thailand, led by former Minister of Tourism and Sports and current Chair of Toshiba Thailand Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul,  beckoned delegates to visit Bangkok for the 2022 Summit in an elegant presentation at the Summit’s Closing.  An eloquent and irresistible invitation by Khun Kobkarn, Chair of the Thai Host Committee for the Bangkok Summit, made for an enthusiastic response from all present.


WANT TO SEE MORE AND WHAT WAS PRESENTED?

For photos, presentations, and more from the Summit in Lisbon – www.globewomen.org/globalsummit.


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