Gender balance is not only an issue for women, but a universal challenge for all in the social, economic and environmental dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals. Ensuring gender balance does not only encourage us all to be inspired in our work, but also benefit our organisational performance, which, I believe, will eventually bring effective impact to the environment and society as a whole. Therefore, it is my pleasure to participate in this aspirational initiative, the International Gender Champions, and commit to advancing gender equality.

I will not participate in male-only panels. I will work to ensure female speaker(s) at panels, workshops and events that we organize in New York and, if required, propose female expert(s) as speaker(s).