Over a hundred international leaders gather in Madrid for a high-level dialogue on the future of multilateralism
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The dialogue will present new insights from the Women in Multilateralism 2026 report, expanding on women's participation in multilateral institutions, highlighting progress and gaps.
Furthermore, it will explore how women’s leadership can contribute with a new perspective for an effective and resilient multilateral cooperation.
The upcoming international dialogue Women Leading the UN of the 21st Century, taking place in Madrid on January 29 and 30, 2026, will assemble a strong cohort of GWL Voices members who have driven policy and decision making at the highest international levels. The gathering will feature prominent global leaders including Michelle Bachelet, Rebeca Grynspan, María Fernanda Espinosa, Noeleen Heyzer, Sigrid Kaag y Sahle-Work Zewde, whose participation underscores the growing momentum behind efforts to strengthen gender equality at the highest levels of global governance.
A central element of the program will be the presentation of the Women in Multilateralism 2026 report. The findings expand the evidence on women’s participation in multilateral decision making and introduce historical data on all candidates for the position of United Nations Secretary General since 1945. Its findings illustrate long-standing structural barriers that continue to prevent women from reaching the highest roles in global leadership.
This second edition of the dialogue is expected to become one of the most influential convenings focused on women’s leadership within the multilateral system. The event will bring together former heads of state, ministers, high-level UN officials and experts from more than 40 countries, creating a space for collective reflection on how global institutions can adapt to the rapidly evolving geopolitical environment.
Building on this data, the dialogue will examine how international cooperation is being reshaped by persistent conflicts, political fragmentation and a growing demand for accountability and transparency. Participants will explore how women’s leadership can contribute to more effective responses to peace and security challenges, humanitarian emergencies and the implementation of global agreements including the Pact for the Future.
The presence of such a broad group of leaders reflects the increasing recognition that women’s perspectives are essential for the legitimacy and effectiveness of the multilateral system.
According to Susana Malcorra, President and Co-founder of GWL Voices, the Madrid dialogue represents a moment to strengthen collective ambition. “Today is a moment of hyper-masculinization in the management of international relations, where sitting at the negotiating table is almost seen as a sign of weakness. Women’s leadership is not only a matter of justice, but also a necessity."