UN Report

This section is dedicated to showcasing the contributions of IFBPW members who have represented our organization at official United Nations events.

Here, you will find reports submitted by our delegates, sharing key highlights, insights, and outcomes from their participation. Each submission reflects the commitment and active engagement of IFBPW representatives in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment at the global level.

We invite you to explore these reports and learn more about IFBPW’s impact within the international arena and try to implement in local level.

44th FAO Conference Rome

Date	06/30/2025
Location (City and Country)	Rome- Italy until 07/04/2025
Name of BPW participants	Cristina Gorajski Visconti
Highlights of the event	Four Days very interesting days of statements from FAO Director General and many governments Key note speakers. 'Four better for Innovation and Agrifood systems Transformation' Food, good food, healthy food, responsible consumption, improve nutrition with appropriate technology, innovation in science, education, and feminization of agriculture. Members were requested to explore innovative financing mechanisms.
Major recommendations to BPW members	BPW Federations and Chapters/Clubs must necessarily improve the links with multi-sectorial institutions and FAO decentralized offices in order to prepare projects/programmes implementing tools to empower bpw-members on innovative actions concerning FAO 4 betters Better production, Better nutrition, Better environment and Better Life ... leaving no one behind.
Conclusion	No direct reference to Civil Society and Non Governmental organisations. The FAO looks for partnerships with Members, say Governments to invest strategically supporting the transformation of agrifood systems globally

CoNGO Summit of NGOs

Date	06/24/2025
Location (City and Country)	New York, USA
Name of BPW participants	Nermin Ahmad, Emily Van Vleck Phurpa Sherpa
Highlights of the event	The CoNGO Summit of NGO Committees was held on June 24, 2025, at the United Nations Church Center under the theme “Defining the Present, Securing a Shared Future: Asserting Civil Society Participation at the United Nations.” With nearly 115 registrants attending in person and online, the event showcased a breadth of global civil society engagement. The Summit emphasized the need to protect and expand civil society participation within UN processes, particularly as multilateralism faces growing challenges. Speakers highlighted the importance of intercommittee collaboration, inclusive partnerships, and the role of civil society in advancing human rights, gender equality, and sustainable development.
Major recommendations to BPW members	BPW members should actively participate in UN NGO committees, advocate for civil society space, and foster cross-sector partnerships. Engaging in multilateral processes strengthens our collective voice and ensures women's perspectives are part of global policy dialogue, especially in defense of human rights and sustainable, inclusive development.
Conclusion	The CoNGO Summit reaffirmed the vital role of civil society in shaping global agendas. As we face mounting global challenges, BPW members are encouraged to stand firm in advocacy, expand strategic alliances, and remain engaged in UN spaces to help secure a shared, equitable future for all.

Guardianship Risks: How to Prevent Abuse

Date	05/23/2025
Location (City and Country)	Vienna
Name of BPW participants	.Stella Kammitsi, BPW Cyprus, BPW Representative to UN Vienna .Rita Assogna, BPW Austria, BPW Representative to UN Vienna
Highlights of the event	Guardianship for older persons is a legal mechanism designed to protect individuals who are unable to manage their personal or financial affairs and ensuring that vulnerable older persons receive the necessary support and protection in managing finances and healthcare decisions. The guardianship system can have risks due to unethical practices by courts, medical doctors and guardians and can cause older persons to lose control over their assets, personal decisions, and autonomy. Our event focused on how protect and prevent older persons from the possible risks associated with guardianship systems.
Major recommendations to BPW members	.Learn guardianship laws and advocate for reforms to protect seniors’ rights. .Demand transparency and accountability in guardianship proceedings. .Identify and report exploitation by unethical guardians, doctors, or courts. .Push for policies prioritizing seniors’ independence and informed consent. Stay vigilant—guardianship should protect, not exploit.
Conclusion	Guardianship should safeguard the rights of older persons. By promoting education, legal alternatives, and systemic accountability, we can prevent exploitation and uphold seniors’ autonomy. Together, we must advocate for reforms that prioritize dignity, transparency, and protection.

81st Session of the ECOSOC for Asia and the Pacific

Date	04/21/2025
Location (City and Country)	Venue: UNESCAP, Bangkok, Thailand
Name of BPW participants	• Neelima Basnet – 1st Vice President, BPW International • Dr. Narudee Kiangsiri – BPW Thailand • Chularat Israngkool Na Ayutthaya – BPW Thailand • Dr. M.L. Preeyapun Sridhavat – BPW Thailand • Penpitcha Pattanajakra – BPW Thailand • Pratimaya Pun – BPW Nepal • Yaba Iaxmi Shrestha – BPW Nepal • Lisa Fong – BPW Hong Kong • Fiyatri Widuri – BPW Indonesia
Highlights of the event	The BPW delegation participated in the 81st session of UNESCAP ECOSOC in Bangkok, contributing to Asia-Pacific’s sustainable development goals. Discussions focused on resilient recovery, gender equality, digital transformation, and cross-border cooperation aligned with SDGs. BPW delegates addressed gender-responsive urban planning, climate change, and social inequality, emphasizing the need for women’s roles in policymaking (SDG 5, 8, 11). Members also attended side events hosted by UN Women and UNICEF on disaster resilience, care systems, and climate finance. BPW’s presence extended to APFSD, CRVS, and the CoNGO Asia Regional Meeting, reinforcing its leadership in inclusive regional development.
Major recommendations to BPW members	BPW members are encouraged to deepen engagement with UN regional mechanisms, advocate for gender-responsive policies, and build multi-stakeholder partnerships. Promote visibility of grassroots voices and contribute to monitoring the SDGs at national and regional levels. Continue to represent women’s leadership across platforms influencing development and economic policy.
Conclusion	The 81st session reaffirmed BPW’s powerful role in shaping regional policy dialogues. With dynamic contributions from multiple countries its unwavering commitment to gender equality, sustainability, and transformative leadership and amplified women’s voices across the Asia-Pacific .BPW’s position as a driving force and trusted partner in advancing inclusive and equitable development.

ECOSOC Youth Forum

Date	04/15/2025
Location (City and Country)	New York, USA
Name of BPW participants	Emily VanVleck Neelima Basnet Tess Mateo
Highlights of the event	The 2025 ECOSOC Youth Forum, held at UN Headquarters in New York, brought together nearly 1,000 youth activists from around the world to engage with UN Member States on solutions for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. With its theme focused on inclusive, science-based approaches to sustainable development, the Forum emphasized the importance of meaningful youth participation. Key issues discussed included the climate crisis, artificial intelligence, the digital divide, and decent work. A strong call emerged for intergenerational collaboration, mentorship, and ending tokenistic engagement. Despite accessibility challenges, the Forum provided a dynamic space for youth voices to advocate for global change.
Major recommendations to BPW members	BPW members should actively engage and mentor youth in meaningful ways beyond quotas. Prioritize intergenerational dialogue, create inclusive spaces for young voices, and advocate for equitable access to global forums. True youth inclusion requires valuing their perspectives in shaping policy—not just consulting them on “youth issues.”
Conclusion	The ECOSOC Youth Forum reinforced the urgency of elevating youth voices in shaping a more just, sustainable world. As advocates, BPW members play a critical role in bridging generations and fostering leadership. Empowering youth today ensures a stronger future for all, where no one is left behind.

Global Ministerial Dialogue on Science Diplomacy

Date	03/25/2025
Location (City and Country)	Paris, France
Name of participants	Marie-Claude Machon-Honoré
Highlights of the event	UNESCO Global Ministerial Dialogue on Science Diplomacy gathered multistakeholders from academia and CSOs , from all parts of the world, across sectors - social sciences and humanities- in a rapidly changing world and facing many challenges. Science Diplomacy and Open Science in an era of disruption. Many questions were raised. How to speak with one voice and take all voices and languages into account? How to include all? Scientists have scientific knowledge but not of diplomacy . Political will and commitments are needed with a whole society approach and cultural transformation. Carving the spaces for science diplomacy as soft power is needed.
Major recommendations to BPW members	We need to promote UNESCO instruments and recommandations on women in science , open science, ethics in artificial intelligence and invest in education and science communication. Join the network of scientists for diplomacy. Advocate with governments for inclusion of CSOs and more women in Science for sustinable development and Peace.
Conclusion	Adoption by the Member States of a common declaration entitled "Science Diplomacy in a Rapidly Changing World: Building Peace in the Minds of Men and Women". Focus on security and openness in scientific research Role of emerging technologies: how science diplomacy can help navigate the challenges posed by disruptive technologies

Inter-American Week for People of African Descent in the Americas (OAS)

Date	03/24/2025
Location (City and Country)	Washington, DC USA
Name of participants	First Vice President - United Nations, Neelima Basnet BPW International OAS Chair - Barbara Bozeman
Highlights of the event	The VIII Inter-American Week for People of African Decent in the Americas was celebrated this year from Mar 24-28 - with the theme "I have a Dream: Recognition, Justice and Development" - a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We attended the Opening Ceremony - which officially launched the week and was held in the Hall of the Americas at the OAS Headquarters. It featured artistic presentations centered on the history and culture of people of African descent through music, dance, poetry, an art exhibit, and spoken word.
Major recommendations to BPW members	1) OAS has 34 member states. BPW is in at least 15 of those states. BPW Clubs in the member states should have a representative participate / advise the OAS committee 2) Develop funding from BPW International for permit attendance to these vital conferences.
Conclusion	BPW International is recognized by OAS and has a voice. This program is just one example of the ongoing powerful events and significant meetings at OAS reenforcing why active, not passive participation by BPW International is important. For our regions (NAC and Latin America) the value of participation is immeasurable.

CEDAW 90th session (3-21 February 2025)

Date	02/21/2025
Location (City and Country)	Geneva, Switzerland
Name of BPW participants	Chularat Israngkool Na Ayutthaya - BPW Bangkok - Thailand , Asia & Pacific Representative : UN Geneva Switzerland , UNESCAP Bangkok Thailand Doris Gerber Cerrud Viquez - BPW Lake Geneva - Switzerland Geneva UN Main Representative, ECOSOC Representative
Highlights of the event	The 90th CEDAW Session convened in Geneva from 3–21 February 2025, reviewing State Party reports from Belarus, Belize, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (including an exceptional report on conflict-related sexual violence), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. A general discussion on gender stereotypes featured prominently, with participation from States parties and 17 NGOs. The Committee updated its working methods, advanced inquiry procedures, and collaborated informally with NGOs and UN entities, including WHO. BPW International observed the dialogues, underlining the importance of civil society in shaping gender-sensitive policies and ensuring accountability for women’s rights.
Major recommendations to BPW members	BPW members should monitor and support national-level follow‑up on CEDAW concluding observations, partner with local and regional NGOs in shadow reporting, engage with media to raise awareness on stereotypes and sexual violence, and contribute expertise to national dialogues, particularly on accelerated implementation of recommendations.
Conclusion	The Committee reviewed eight State reports, held discussions with NGOs and UN entities, advanced work on gender stereotypes and technology-facilitated violence, and progressed on inquiries and follow-ups. It emphasized improving working methods and highlighted cooperation with other UN bodies and national institutions despite reduced online access.

International Day of Women in Science 11 february, 2025, UNESCO

Date	02/11/2025
Location (City and Country)	Paris France UNESCO
Name of BPW participants	Marie-Claude Machon-Honoré, BPW Main Representative to UNESCO Gina Vezinni, BPW Switzerland
Highlights of the event	UNPACKING STEM CAREERS- Her Voice in Science : Opening remarks-facts & data- Women =1/3 of global science community (Students, employees, developers , researchers etc. UNESCO Call for Action : Closing the gender gap in Science_ Initiative : Linkedin groups. Round Tables -Diversity & inclusion to shape the future ; Women’s voices in science : Inspiring change in the media with Founder & CEO- Women in Tech Tech Diplomacy Forum. No progress in the last two decades. Women’s pay in Science is 8%less fo what men are paid. Women scientists are more victims of violence &harassment than in any other field. GBV is driving away girls and women from science.
Major recommendations to BPW members	Join the UNESCO conversation & LinkedIn groups Change narratives of Women in Science in social media with videos Dismantle gender stereotypes and biases in science Create empowering workplace environment Open educational pathways for girls in science Demistify women engineering role models Positive discrimination –create more jobs for women Equal learning environments
Conclusion	The world is facing great challenges and we need to work together. UNESCO is worried about the status of women in science and asks all of us to join the campaign. How can we create new narratives of women in STEM - How can Women become a norm in Science?