On 5 December 2025, close to 50 Geneva-based Champions gathered at the Residence of Ambassador Heidi Schroderus-Fox, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva, for the second Biannual Champions Meeting of the year. The meeting provided a dedicated space for Permanent Representatives, heads of international organisations, and leaders from civil society to exchange on progress and challenges related to their IGC commitments and core pledges, to reflect on the network’s strategic direction and impact, and to reaffirm leadership for gender equality amid growing resistance and shifting global dynamics.
In her welcoming remarks, Ambassador Schroderus-Fox opened the meeting with reflections on the importance of collective leadership in the face of mounting resistance to gender equality. She was followed by keynote remarks from Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), who offered a personal account of her experience as a woman leader and shared how UNECE has embedded gender equality across institutional areas and functions.
The meeting then turned to a joint presentation by Magdalena Sepúlveda, Director of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), and Sofia Calltorp, Director of the UN Women Geneva Office, on their new Research Study “From Gender Backlash to Policy Backsliding”. They shared how organised anti-gender mobilisation is translating into tangible policy backsliding, reflecting on national and international negotiation tactics, shifting narratives that aim to weaken gender equality norms and practices, and key strategies to push forward and sustain progress.
Following the presentation, Champions split into small groups for an interactive discussion on the gender pushback in Geneva, structured around three dimensions: language, funding/operations, and participation/leadership. During the plenary segment, facilitators shared key insights from the small groups, enabling Champions to deepen the exchange and identify shared concerns and common priorities for collective action.
The meeting then moved to Geneva Hub updates delivered by Ambassador Christophe Payot, Permanent Representative of Belgium and member of the Geneva Steering Group, who highlighted key achievements and developments of 2025. He also drew attention to upcoming Geneva Hub moments, such as the upcoming Geneva Gender Debate on feminist approaches to peace and security on 3 March 2026.
In his closing remarks, Phil Lynch, Executive Director of the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) and member of the IGC Global Board, launched the IGC Lighthouse Strategy, a new five-year strategic framework designed to guide the Secretariat’s work and strengthen Champions’ engagement. On behalf of the Global Board, he thanked Champions for their continued commitment. Ambassador Schroderus-Fox concluded by expressing appreciation for the strong turnout and active participation.