Leadership summit celebrates women

Denise Scotto (right), a lawyer and international policy adviser, receives the 2025 Global Women Leadership Award at the World Women Organization's Global Women's Leadership Summit at the United Nations. Presenting the award is Jing Zhao Cesarone (center), the summit chair, on March 21. (Photo provided to China Daily)

Women leaders and entrepreneurs were recognized for their contributions and sharing their experiences and insights at the recent World Women Organization's Global Women's Leadership Summit.

The March 21 summit was held alongside the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, as more than 100 participants gathered at the Church Center for the UN in New York.

The event highlighted women driving economic, social and political changes worldwide. Twelve women in select fields received awards.

The summit came at a crucial moment for the global women's movement, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Fourth World Women Conference in Beijing and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The landmark document continues to be a foundational framework in the fight for gender equality and women's empowerment.

The declaration, adopted by 189 countries, remains one of the most influential global policy documents on gender equality. It outlines strategic goals in areas such as education, health, economic participation, leadership, media representation and environmental impact.

"Women's leadership is the key to tackling today's most pressing challenges — from poverty to climate change. As global women leaders, we must stand in solidarity, share knowledge, and speak with one voice to advance the rights and dignity of all women and girls," Angela R.M., the director-general of the World Women Organization, said in her speech.

"I call on each of us to renew our commitment to action. Let us build a global sisterhood that uplifts, supports and holds one another accountable. Together, we can accelerate progress, champion policies that empower women and ensure no one is left behind," she said.

"Bringing female leaders together, where they can inspire, empower and mentor one another through mutual sharing, is a platform that enables women to achieve better development and sustainable growth. This has always been my focus and passion," said Jing Zhao Cesarone, the chair of the summit, in an interview with China Daily. "We focus on female entrepreneurship, career development for women and gender harmony for family. We create a platform and community where women can engage in meaningful dialogues."

Cesarone shared that she personally benefited from the discussions and conferences with her female peers during her younger years, receiving advice from women leaders across various industries. Inspired by those experiences, she strives to continue that legacy and connect even more women globally.

She has been actively promoting discussions to facilitate conversations among women, recognizing the importance of guiding and communications. Cesarone emphasized that cultural exchange among women is also of great importance.

As global businesses and exchanges face uncertainty, Cesarone expressed her desire to help more companies from various backgrounds and regions including China —especially those led by female CEOs — expand internationally and engage in cross-border business opportunities.

"We focus more on the growth women experience in entrepreneurship and business, and as internationalization continues, women now have greater global perspectives," she said.

"In recent years, we have seen an increasing number of women consciously making choices that align with their ideals, planning their careers independently, and becoming more confident — this is exactly what we hope to see more of.

"In the future, we will hold this summit around the world to strengthen global connections among women, foster mutual learning and inspiration, and provide more opportunities for networking and business collaboration," she said.

"The summit brought together women from various countries and from different walks of life. It was a great platform for women to express their views and come together in sisterhood to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Beijing Platform of Action," said Padmini Murthy, the vice-chair of the summit.

"It was a great experience to serve as vice-chair of the conference and on the committee to select these outstanding women for the prestigious awards presented at the event," she added.

The UNWWO, established in 1975, is dedicated to promoting gender equality, advancing women's development rights and enhancing family responsibility and social harmony globally. It strives to create a more sustainable and inclusive society where women, children and families can thrive.