On 10 July 2025, the Vienna Hub held its Biannual Gender Champions meeting, dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the IGC network. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Olga Sauma, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Embassy of Costa Rica in Austria.
Over 10 Gender Champions, representing the heads of Permanent Missions, International and Civil Society Organisations based in Vienna, participated in the event. Champions were joined by Focal Points from the IGC Vienna Hub, who are tasked with supporting the Champions in implementing their personal commitments. The event was an opportunity for Champions to report on commitments, events as well as impact group activities. Champions also addressed the topic of the IGC’s Lighthouse Strategy, and pathways forward for further engagement.
Opening the event, H.E. Ambassador Sauma called on all Champions in Vienna to continue demonstrating leadership for gender equality, adding that “leadership and hard work is needed to prevent regression.” Chair of the IGC Global Board, IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong, also addressed the assembled Champions, noting that the IGC’s upcoming lighthouse strategy would be a crucial moment for all Champions to help determine the positive vision for the next five years of the network, and invited all Champions to mobilise their networks behind the “vital mission” of the IGC.
H.E. Debora Lepre, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Italy to the International Organisations in Vienna, then took the floor to call for greater including of women in STEM through the international organisations in Vienna, and highlighted the value and importance of mobilizing personal networks and partnerships.
In the closing remarks by H.E. Melita Župevc, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Slovenia to the UN, OSCE and other International Organisations in Vienna, she acknowledged the unique and powerful nature of the IGC platform, and called on all Champions to continue nurturing and growing the network’s reach.
