On July 1, 2015, the International Gender Champions (IGC) was founded with a simple, but bold vision: uniting international decision-makers determined to break down barriers and make gender equality a reality within their sphere of influence. Launched ten years ago by former UN Geneva Director-General Michael Møller, former U.S. Ambassador to the UN in Geneva Pamela Hamamoto, and Women@TheTable CEO and Founder Caitlin Kraft-Buchman, the IGC quickly grew from a small group of committed leaders into a powerful network spanning six hubs. Since its inception, over 800 leaders worldwide have agreed to the IGC core pledges and made concrete commitments to advance gender equality through their institutional or programmatic work.
Photo credits: Florian Golay, GCSP.
On July 3, 2025 at the Palais des Nations, the International Gender Champions, in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica and with the support of the Permanent Missions of Bolivia, Belgium and Germany, as well as the United Nations Office at Geneva, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the United Nations Development Programme, UN Women, and the United Nations International Computing Centre, celebrated its tenth anniversary.
Our celebration began with opening remarks from the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), Tatiana Valovaya. She reminded attendees of the importance of UNOG’s engagement with the IGC, including adding that she always invited new Ambassadors who arrived in Geneva to join the IGC initiative.
UNOG Director-General Tatiana Valovaya. Photo credits: Florian Golay, GCSP.
Her message was echoed by Ambassador Christian Guillermet Fernández, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva, who noted that, in the face of mounting resistance to gender equality, the IGC has continued to demonstrate the power of collective leadership and accountability to drive real, lasting change.
Ambassador Christian Guillermet Fernández. Photo credits: Florian Golay, GCSP.
The event continued with a powerful keynote speech from Arancha González, who reviewed her time as Chair of the Initiative between 2019 and 2020, and also celebrated the enduring success of the Buenos Aires Declaration on Trade and Women's Economic Empowerment. She called on all Champions, past and present, to carry on advocating for the IGC’s core message of inclusion and equality.
Arancha González. Photo credits: Florian Golay, GCSP.
Our celebration continued with a great panel discussion between our three co-founders, and Ambassador Matthew Wilson, Permanent Representative of Barbados to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva. Former U.S. Ambassador Pamela Hamamoto highlighted the value of salon-style meetings to convene other Ambassadors and leaders within International Geneva, while former UN Geneva Director-General Michael Møller told a powerful story about refusing to allow events to proceed under his jurisdiction which only had male speakers. Finally, Women at the Table CEO Caitlin Kraft-Buchman added that panel parity continued to be an essential element of the IGC’s mission, and one of its greatest successes.
Ambassador Matthew Wilson, former Ambassador Pamela Hamamoto, former UNOG Director-General Michael Møller, and CEO Caitlin Kraft-Buchman. Photo credits: Florian Golay, GCSP.
To conclude, Ambassador Anna Ifkovits Horner, Deputy Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva, pointed to the bright future of IGC. She highlighted the Lighthouse Strategy, which will point the way towards a new five-year strategic plan for the IGC, and create a long-term vision for the network, which is sustainable, and stands firm in its values.
Ambassador Anna Ifkovits Horner. Photo credits: Florian Golay, GCSP.
After 10 years of transformative leadership and collective action in a milestone year for gender equality, we take pride in the impact we have made together. From policy changes to cultural shifts, from amplifying voices to implementing tangible reforms, the IGC network has proven that real change happens when leaders take action. This anniversary was a moment for us to reflect on our journey, but also an opportunity to set our sights on an even more ambitious future—one that strengthens partnerships, engages new sectors, and reenergises international commitment for gender equality in light of recent backsliding. The future of IGC is bright!